People, quite rightfully, take the piss out of Aussie Rules for making outrageous claims(bigger in QLD than League, huge in Sweden etc) then turnaround and type pure bullshit like that.
The stated Union numbers vary between 140k-160k registered players depending on what you read. The NZRU governing body claim:
New Zealand Rugby has today confirmed 147,434 players for the 2023 season, an increase of 7 per cent, with women and girls' participation to 29,448.
Junior male numbers though are declining with 49,999 junior club boys registered, down 2 per cent on 2022.
However, senior men's club saw an increase of 3 per cent on 2022 to 33,500 players.
Female rugby numbers continue to rise but male numbers are on the decline.
www.rnz.co.nz