Rugby WC attendance averages for comparison
Aus 2003 - 38000
Fra 2007 - 47000
NZ 2011 - 31000
Eng 2015 - 52000
While International RU has more top level competitive teams, RL is far more popular in Australia. We shouldn't consider that 38k out of reach.
I think the biggest flaw of our draw is that, even at 100% attendance, it doesn't allow is to get close to that 30-40k mark. As has been said earlier, we've set the bar too low. Getting people through the gates in large numbers, even if it takes dirt cheap tickets or giveaways like other sports do, is the best way to improve the profile of international RL.
All games featuring Aus or NZ, and all finals should be at 40-60k capacity stadiums.
And hopefully by next time around (another 8 years...) we can lose this ridiculous standoff situation between Sydney and International Rugby League. The final deserves to be played in front of 80,000.
Whilst I don't think that 38K average is realistic this time around I agree that we have set the bar too low. I think the main issue is limiting the capacity on the bigger games, in particular NZ games.
Unless I'm reading things wrong NZ will only play one game in the entire tournament in a stadium with a capacity over 30K and that's the GF. That is just an awful decision. Even the warriors can draw 30k+ at Eden park. I don't think all their games should be there but having say two of their matches there could have a huge impact on the average crowd for the tournament. The SF should be at Eden park. In general I think a SF should be in a 40K+ stadium no matter what.
I'm also torn on some of the bigger matches. The opener between Australia and England has the potential to sell out any stadium in the country. Now whilst I agree that a packed out Aami park will look good and provide a great atmosphere it still feels like we're selling ourselves short. This game could have been held at a bigger stadium and drawn 50k+ depending on the venue.
Basically my thinking is this. Either one of the GF, SF or opening match should have been held at ANZ stadium and I don't care if Sydney bid for games or not. A game there with 60K+ people (personally I think we could sell it out) would be a fantastic look for the game and would boost the average crowd immensely.
Aus vs Eng, both SF's and the GF should all be played in stadiums with a 50k capacity (really Aus and NZ's QF matches potentially should as well).
ANZ stadium should get a match regardless of bidding IMO. I'm also sure that with a bid of negotiation they would have offered up something even if it wasn't as good as other cities. Nothing can replace having a potential 60-80K for a tournament like this.
Say you sellout ANZ, Suncorp, etihad and Eden park for these big matches. That's somewhere in the order of 240K people. Have Australia's QF at Aami park (or Suncorp) and NZ's at mt smart (or Eden park) and you have 300K+ already. I realise this is optimistic but that is what we should be.
I disagree slightly with some of the smaller stadium choices but it's the lack of big ones that will hold us back. There are only 4 games being played at a stadium with more than 30K capacity (depending on what Aami can actually hold) and likely we'll only see 2 crowds with more than 30K. I don't see how anyone can justify that position.
