The new Super 14 season extension is vital for the game to develop and flourish in Australia.
And if, as expected, the new season runs parallel to the NRL and AFL, the competition across the three codes will be intense and possibly unsustainable in terms of media and sponsorship coverage.
In Canberra a groan will have been heard across the Canberra Raiders headquarters as the news of the new Super 14 season broke. It’s hard to see any benefit for the struggling League team in the nation’s capital.
The Brumbies season extension under the new expected Super 14 model has been welcomed by many local Union fans. More games expected, against more Aussie opposition, could raise the interest or, more importantly, keep the interest initially.
Canberra loves their Brumbies and Raiders, but not always so much to go to the game; at least not in winter and even less so when we are losing.
Crowds have dropped for both codes in Canberra in recent years. Raiders have attracted 6,000 on occasion, while the Brumbies – post-Gregan and Larkham – rarely get over 20,000 these days.
Trundling up to Canberra Stadium in mid-winter has tested the hardest Raiders fan, and I’d expect the Brumbies to experience similarly crowd challenges in coming years when fans are faced with an increase in home games.
Will the Brumbies growth kill the Raiders? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s not going to be an easy life for either Rugby code and their dwindling fan base in Canberra’s winter.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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