The message was loud and clear to ARU boss John O’Neill last Saturday – bring back afternoon Test matches, and give night Tests the permanent punt.
Rugby fans voted with their feet. Allianz Stadium was virtually chockers for the third and final Test against Wales, setting a rugby record 42,889 in the heartland of the 15-man code.
The previous record was 41,917 against the All Blacks in 1994. The all-time record – 43,967 for the FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Socceroos and Argentina in 1993.
Last Saturday was an emphatic reminder to the ARU the fans know what they want, and it’s not Homebush, nor the night.
Many fans want to take their kids to watch the Wallabies, and enjoy the outing as a family unit. Not having to bed them down at midnight by the time they get home irritable and worn out, taking all the enjoyment out of the exercise.
And for the adults who go it alone, or with a team of mates, to kick off with drinks or lunch at the Captain Cook, the Lord Dudley, Dolphin, or Paddington Green just to name a few, is rugby heaven.
Those same fans can’t do that at ANZ Stadium, it’s a venue without soul.
Those facts have firmly placed the ARU between a rock and a hard place. And it’s all about cold hard cash.
The potential gate from 80,000 at ANZ Stadium for a Test against the All Blacks or Boks, with the vast majority wanting to see the Test in the flesh, but not wanting to be at Homebush, and begrudging the fact they have been forced to – and at night.
Or the 43,000 at Allianz enjoying every minute from the time they leave home until their return for an afternoon Test, and be home for dinner.
Which translates to the chase for the almighty dollar in sport at the expense of those providing it – the fans.
And the chase extends to naming rights for stadiums.
Stadium Australia hosted the 2000 Olympic Games. In 2002 it became Telstra Stadium, in 2007 ANZ Stadium when it should have been named Sydney Olympic Park from the beginning and left alone.
Lansdowne Road, the home of Irish rugby and the oldest rugby ground in the world, built in 1872, is now Aviva Stadium.
Ellis Park, the famous home of South African rugby, is now Coca Cola Park.
In 2006 English Premier League side Arsenal went from their traditional home ground Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.
And the Sydney Football Stadium since 1988 is now Allianz Stadium.
There are countless examples all round the world where famous sporting venues now carry the sponsor’s name. A tragedy of the times and meaningless to the sportslover.
Can you imagine Lords, Wimbledon, St Andrews, the MCG, or the SCG losing their iconic identity to the almighty dollar?
Not bloody likely.
The sands of time bring change, no argument with that, but when the fans demand it, some things should never be altered.
Afternoon rugby, including Super Rugby, is high on that list.
John
Guest
A combined audience of only 354,000 (142,000 on FoxSports, 212,000 on Channel Nine) tuned in to the afternoon test match. Don't think we will see another afternoon game for a while. Meanwhile NRL games are attracting Friday night audiences of 1,243,000 and Sunday afternoon games attract 817,000.
Frank The Tank
Guest
Poor arguement Damo, seriously. You had to be at the SFS on Saturday to see it is so much what the fans want. If that game was a dead rubber like it was, they wouldn't have got more than 40,000 at Homebush. The pubs at Paddo were chockers before and after and people walked and were in a great mood doing so. Whats bordered by an AFL ground mean exactly? So what a stadium can't be used for multiple sports or can't have other grounds too close them? Poor arguement Damo
Football United
Guest
this. evening games come on the telly in the uk about 11 in the morning while afternoon games start at 6am
Jerry
Guest
I can't speak to the quality of the MCG as a rugby venue, but the Cake Tin is not a big stadium or a big oval which helps when it comes to watching rugby. You're actually pretty close to the pitch just about everywhere in the stadium.
Gav
Roar Pro
And the Cake Tin is any different? The MCG has a soul and an aura about it.
Gav
Roar Pro
Nor will the ARU, despite fans voting with their feet.
Football United
Guest
because the mcc won't budge on ticketing fees and set up.
Football United
Guest
ballymore truly is the dogs balls. will never host a national team again but would be rocking if the reds ever went back there.
Michael
Guest
Toss, Went to the afternoon Test with lunch beforehand. Cracking Day except for the actual rugby which I won't go in to. The afternoon time was brilliant. One friend went with his son and father. Three generations, face paint etc. Great day and home at a good hour. Didn't they have an afternoon Test v Western Samoa last year at Homebush which we.....LOST? If Northern Hemishpere Teams send B grade teams then play then during the day so they can really be put to the sword. With the Lions out here next year its irrelevant if its a night or day test and result in the series. It will be packed due to its unique tour. You could play it at 1am at th SCG and be assured of 50,000
Skills & Techniques
Guest
I once knew a bloke who hated all players from NSW irrespective of their accomplishments and he also insisted that every beer in the world tasted horrible except XXXX. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Paul
Guest
I can't believe I'm agreeing with Lordy but afternoon is the best time for families. We would have all attended the test in Melbourne if it was on in the afternoon. However is this not northern hemisphere cash coming in to the picture so the game is shown live Sat morning in the UK?
Atawhai Drive
Guest
I think there'a Video Ezy on the site now. But while pubs come and go, rugby goes on forever.
Jutsie
Guest
Correct Bone, the three bledisloes at the G (97, 98 & 07) have all drawn huge crowds the average attendance for the 3 matches is 81,529. Im not sure why they held the last one (2010) at eithad which only hold 55,000
Mike
Guest
Agreed David, great point.
eagleJack
Guest
Only a QLDer could link the above article to QLD v NSW state rubbish. Talk about paranoia
eagleJack
Guest
Didn't the Paddington Green shut up shop years ago?
jeznez
Roar Guru
agree with CtD on the telecast quality - at least for the first half the TV struggled with the bright and shaded sections of the pitch. Am definitely a supporter of more day time rugby though.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Lordy if they didn't play so pitifully they wouldn't have such pitiful crowds. It wasn't that many years ago where the Tahs would crack 40,000+ crowds a few times a season.
allblackfan
Guest
Never ever at the G. Ever again It sucks big time having rugby on that ground!
Chop
Guest
You also need to take into account that corporate boxes have a deemed capacity and if they are not filled can not be onsold seats. I can't see how anyone would be looking to be negative about the crowd on Saturday I completely agree with the Afternoon test preference, unfortunately afternoons aren't prime time and will take a hit in the ratings and reduce the appeal of the TV rights.