The Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup rugby Test next month is reportedly under threat due to poor ticket sales. Television news reports in New Zealand on Tuesday night said the fourth trans-Tasman international of the year, scheduled for Hong Kong Stadium on October 30, might be relocated to England that weekend before the All Blacks and Wallabies start their northern hemisphere tours.
A New Zealand Rugby Union spokesman confirmed there was concern about sluggish ticket sales but no decision had been made on the fixture’s future.
Less than 10,000 tickets had been purchased so far for the 40,000-seat venue.
Hong Kong Stadium hosted the inaugural Bledisloe Cup Test on neutral ground in 2008, an occasion that did not attract a sellout crowd.
Last year the match was held in Japan at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, where ticket giveaways were required to boost crowd numbers.
England rugby headquarters at Twickenham in London has previously been explored as the setting for a revenue-generating Test between the trans-Tasman rivals.
Asian locations took precedence because of a desire to grow the game in that region.
Australia’s spring tour covers Tests against Wales, England, Italy and France plus midweek games against Irish province Munster and England’s Leicester.
The All Blacks start their grand slam tour at Twickenham on November 6 before Tests against Scotland, Ireland and Wales on successive weekends.
Stash
Guest
I am going to the Hong Kong match and going to see the All Blacks and Wallabies playing here is an extremely wonderful treat. The crowd really enjoy it on the day - and the build up. Rugby is in all the newspapers leading up to it and locals who know very little about it really do become interested in it. I think if they can get a bit more press on it, which will likely be after this weekend, then more sales will come in. Saying that - playing in the US should be a focus for the unions. The stadiums are huge and the yanks can roll out the numbers if its handled properly (and budget thanks IRB). Of course making them understand that it only lasts 80 minutes is the biggest paradigm shift.
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
Maybe playing teams from the region would be a bigger help?
JCM
Guest
IMO your sentiments are very short sighted! Its critical that Asia is part of the IRB global plan especially when you have baseball taking off in Asia and now the NFL (American Football) has major plans to move into the region. The code needs to think globally with not only AUS and NZ playing in Asia but northern hemisphere nations should all be forced to play a game in the region aswell !
MattakII
Guest
Good point...I can name 40 or 50 blokes who would have made the trip to USA
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Well, as far as I'm concerned the Tokyo Test was an enjoyable experience, so I won't knock the idea of playing in Asia, but the basic problem is that the ARU and NZRU are guaranteed too much money up front. For all the talk about growing the game in Asia, the ARU and NZRU's match fees cause a steep hike in ticket prices. I usually go to the rugby in Tokyo for 1500 yen (which is admittedly extremely cheap), but the same sort of ticket to the Bledisloe Test cost 7000 yen, which is the same sort of price for a top level baseballl or football match. A Bledisloe Cup fixture may be on that level in terms of rugby's international audience, but not with the Japanese or Hong Kong public, who are the ones who pay to see it. Looks like they missed the boat on Denver to me.
MattakII
Guest
Dingobob.. Where are you located? Please don't say NSW.... NSW and Sydney rugby fans have done nothing but let the community down for the last few years...tests against anyone other than the ABs rarely fill over 3/5 of the stadium. And even some AB games have been shy of numbers to be proud of. I think the ARU do a great job spreading out what they have... But yes, perhaps a smaller more exlusive location like singapore might be the go...or London would be a cracker.
DingoBob
Guest
I am getting sick of the obvious contempt the ARU have for supporters here in Australia. If the game is all about the money then it should be dropped anyway. If this is the best strategy the ARU and NZRU can come up with to increase revenue then the CEO of both need to be replaced so that someone who can think outside the box can come in actually start to grow the game. Another reason not to buy tickets to the RWC in NZ.
Seiran
Guest
Cool, I hope they transfer to UK. I'd be up for watching that match before I head home this December.
jonnnnnnnnnn
Guest
why dont they actually play Japan instead of playing each other 4 times a year - what a joke. Thank goodness Argentina have finally been invited to join the tri nations!!!!
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
Is it really that surprising? Hopefully this means they will give up on this ridiculous idea and start adding more credence to their games once they're rarer again. 4 games a year against the same opposition is tedious. Maybe both sides should really break into the mid-week touring arena, I know Australia has two this year and had two last year. This is a potentially very lucrative market.