New Zealand 2 will deal a massive blow to NZ rugby

[Mother Nature's Son]

I'm in Newcastle England and despite hope of what the Thunder tried to back in 1999 it's just has not grown on people and even falcons Union seems to be a lost cause.....it's just Newcastle Utd and then Sunderland...and a bit of Cricket in Durham.

Hopefully mate as the NRL starts to realise just what a brand it might be - biggest rugby competition in the world - something which I think dawned on V`landys long before anyone else, we may be able to start to use that brand recognition (and a bit of moolah as well) to give the game a boost in your part of the world.

 

[Leighton Rhino]

I'm in Newcastle England and despite hope of what the Thunder tried to back in 1999 it's just has not grown on people and even falcons Union seems to be a lost cause.....it's just Newcastle Utd and then Sunderland...and a bit of Cricket in Durham.

I remember watching Gateshead Thunder coming down here to play Hemel Stags....spoke to some of the Geordies there and they were really passionate but said same thing...football too dominant to crack

 

[Dark Corner]

I remember watching Gateshead Thunder coming down here to play Hemel Stags....spoke to some of the Geordies there and they were really passionate but said same thing...football too dominant to crack

Aside from Soccer we have always been a backwater for other sports and even stuff like music despite having a good amount of Rugby Union and Cricket clubs.....even Boxing people will watch the big fights but our local pro scene is very poor.

 

[Leighton Rhino]

Aside from Soccer we have always been a backwater for other sports and even stuff like music despite having a good amount of Rugby Union and Cricket clubs.....even Boxing people will watch the big fights but our local pro scene is very poor.

And only one league cup to show for it in 70 years!

 

[Dark Corner]

And only one league cup to show for it in 70 years!

Plus the only other big club is Sunderland, Middlesbough are North Yorkshire, Darlington is no more and Hartlepool is small club going up and down....mind you it was a big Rugby area.

 

[Leighton Rhino]

Plus the only other big club is Sunderland, Middlesbough are North Yorkshire, Darlington is no more and Hartlepool is small club going up and down....mind you it was a big Rugby area.

Ah....the old Middlesbrough question. Plenty of people debate that Yorkshire thing. A mare who is from there insists he is Yorkshire.....not sure many in Yorkshire want to claim it though (having been there a few times I understand why!!)