He's not. He actually picked a really odd time to double down on his predictions.
The Super rugby final at Eden Park is a sell out, the train workers union have paused a month long industrial action for the day so as not to impact the fans negatively, Sky have publicised viewership growth in the comp, and there's renewed interest in the ABs due to a new fan favourite coach (after a more polarising one previously).
It's actually a good time for both codes in NZ as the Warriors haven't been losing too many supporters when their fortunes have dipped this season.