This coming Saturday, the Waratahs host the Blues at their home ground in Newcastle.
I’ve been relentless on this subject over the years, giving the Tahs serve after serve for failing to represent the people of New South Wales – their stated constituents – by playing almost exclusively out of the famously fickle eastern suburbs of Sydney.
Then last year, when the Waratahs finally brought a Super Rugby match to Newcastle, they undercut the goodwill associated with the act by deciding the most appropriate opponent to serve up to the people of the Hunter was the Sunwolves.
While the Japanese team scored a famous victory – their first on Aussie soil – that March evening, the Tahs facing a franchise that had received a death sentence showed little respect for their Hunter-based fans.
This was compounded by the fact management decided to rest Wallabies players Bernard Foley, Jack Dempsey and Adam Ashley-Cooper for the game due to the World Cup player management agreement.
Not for nothing either, but there’s virtually zero chance the town would have got a game at all were the SFS not a building site.
The message was clear, as I wrote in the aftermath of that match: “So we have to play outside of Sydney’s eastern suburbs? Fine. We’ll give you a game against a team that suck and three of our best players will sit it out. You’re welcome, Newcastle.”
(And despite the final scoreline and comments protesting otherwise, the Sunwolves did – and do – suck, scoring one more victory all season to finish dead last on the competition table.)
That particular piece was entitled “Hey Waratahs, welcome to NSW (you probably won’t be back, hey?)” the thrust being that while the organisation may have felt as though the crowd of 12,621 was an indicator that the people of Newcastle just weren’t interested in supporting their local team, well, “if you’re selling a shit sandwich, is it a surprise when you don’t get many customers?”
So how have the Waratahs responded? They’re bringing another fixture to Turton Rd.
“We took the step of bringing the game to McDonald Jones Stadium last season and the community were fantastic with their support – it was an easy decision to come back in 2020,” NSWRU general manager of rugby Tim Rapp said at the announcement last September.
And this time around, the Tahs are facing semi-decent opposition.
Granted the Blues were the worst team in New Zealand in 2019, but the worst team in the best conference is miles better than the worst team in the worst conference.
Personnel-wise, the Auckland side boast All Blacks Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii and excitement machine Rieko Ioane.
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
They also have superstar Beauden Barrett as their new marquee man, and while he won’t be playing – the 2015 World Cup winner taking an extended break to start the year – the Waratahs weren’t to know that when the match was announced.
So there can be no complaints about the quality of opposition.
What’s more, the game itself is set to kick off at the family-friendly time of 7:15 pm, with free shuttle buses to and from the venue and ticket prices that are essentially on par with the Knights’ prices.
In short, this time around the people of Newcastle get to see the Waratahs face good opposition, at a convenient timeslot, for a reasonable price.
Even I can’t whinge about that offering. So I’ll be there on Saturday night – really looking forward to it.
And this time around, with no excuses on offer, I’d hope there are at least another 15-20,000 people in the stands with me.
The Waratahs have brought the party. People of Newcastle, it’s our time to turn up.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
You complain that the Waratahs don't get out of Sydney often enough, and even then only when the SFS is being refurbished. The last time the Reds played a SR game outside of Brisbane was 2006 (Townsville). The Force only played at two stadia, both within ~5 km of Perth CBD. The Brumbies don't play home games away from Canberra (although probably the only choice to GIO is Manuka Oval!) At least the Rebels are the Melbourne Rebels, so don't have to pretend that they should play elsewhere in Victoria. So fair play to the Waratahs for at least taking their home games outside of the capital. No-one else does it.
Ex force fan
Guest
Why is it always a zero sum game for you?
Jacko
Guest
Might get a few Ex-pat Kiwi's too I would think
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Really need to look at the whole value proposition of game day. Look at the NFL as an example of a full on 'game day' experience. The games are almost an excuse to party and people have Tail Gate bbqs and don't even go into the ground. We battle to have decent food and drink in the in the concessions! Of course winning helps but out with that there is so much more you can do. Put on warm up game of club rugby or have skills clinics for the kids. Lot's of things to do but we don't seem to have any of it.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Really odd year to make that call. This year the Tahs are playing three Super Rugby matches in Parramatta, one in Newcastle, one in Wollongong, one in Tamworth, one at the SCG and one at Brookvale. Literally two from seven in the North or East of Sydney.
Gary
Guest
Should just call them : The North East Sydney Horratahs. Fair dinkum
Paul D
Roar Rookie
There was no huge drop in crowds for BankWest. Numbers were basically the same (save members who opted for the Swans games on the same night)
Micko
Roar Rookie
Are you being disingenuous? Rugby union in NSW is basically a middle to upper class sport geographically centred around the wealthy eastern suburbs & north shore of Sydney, and centred around youth development primarily of wealthy and elite private schools in these areas. That’s it’s grassroots stronghold, and where the majority of community support is, NOT Newcastle, and not even the western suburbs of Sydney, where they had a huge drop in attendance Paul….when they dared to play a home match in Parramatta! :shocked:
Paul D
Roar Rookie
So the state team isn’t local to Newcastle? Colour me shocked!
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yes, but the Waratahs aren't part of that local community despite supposedly being "NSW". And what seat would $25 get you, stuck behind the goals presumably?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nothing. But they lose out by selling tickets for less and hoping to make up for it in F&B sales, because they won't see the benefit. No point trying to raise the profile if you go broke by doing so. Ticket pricing is already incredibly cheap. Before considering inflation and wage growth, games already cost less to attend than a decade ago.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Except he's not making a valid point. Tickets are available from $25 GA, non members. Not from $38. A family of 4 can get in for $53. Tickets are the same price or cheaper than a Jets game and cheaper than a Knights game. If Newcastle doesn't want to come along for that price, then fine. The only outcome is they will stop playing there. So don't complain about being neglected if that happens.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You have to be realistic, but if you engage to a race to the bottom it's pointless. Once you get down to $20, it's not the price of tickets any more. It becomes things like ease of access, etc.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not nearly 40 for the Tahs. The ticketek website has tickets for $25.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Exactly DA. I'm from Perth and basically not interested in the WF at all despite supporting the Wallabies and international Rugby Union. Andrew Forrest's new GRR comp (which apparently tweaks some rules to make it faster and less bogged down) has piqued my interest and it's advertised as $20 max. per adult. A supposedly more exciting product with a realistic price has actually got me interested in going to take a look. You make valid points here regarding how sports need to be realistic with prices they charge for the product they sell in a super competitive sports environment in Australia. Increasingly expensive cost of living with inflation and huge house prices/mortgages/rents mean people don't have the disposable income they used to, which means it's harder to get people to spend their available money. A lot of these Roar commenters are too defensive and parochial to see the relevant points you're making. :thumbup:
roddster
I wonder if local firm NIB (Blues Major Sponsor) has anything to do with this particular game being played here. Just a thought.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Nice to see that Penney and co are putting on a clinic for local coaches: https://nsw.rugby/news/2020/02/02/super-rugby-coaches-to-host-hunter-clinic $20 to attend with the proceeds going to Rural Aid. Got to start winning their supporters back step by step, can't see this as anything but good from the Tahs. Hopefully the improve their performance from last week.
Gary
Guest
KCOL What is the point of Reds Brumbies Rebels developing a flyhalf when Clown was never going to pick one over his pet Foley anyway. Foley should have been dropped in 2016 to get some form back , not 2019. Clown knew he was getting the punt so in a desperate move ran with CLL for 2019 RWC who we now find out was still struggling with his illness. I blame the lack of 10`s issue squarely on Clown. He refused to pick a fit QC even when the Wallabies were diabolical with Foley and CLL crook. He played Hodge Beale and Toomua at 10 over QC. Unbelivable. Dave Rennie remember QC is still eligible for selection.Rant over.
Double Agent
Guest
Ever heard of Foxtel? I looked on the Stadium's website and only saw $38 tickets. 25 is definitely more realistic. The price of a ticket for anything has to reflect the quality of the show. Why is that so hard to understand? I can watch subbies for free and that's about the right price. Shute Shield for $15. That's not bad. But nearly 40 for the Tahs? No thanks. They're lucky to pull 13,000 these days. Clearly I'm not the only one who doesn't bother going anymore.
Ex force fan
Guest
The operators who lease the F&B stands only benefit then. What does rugby have to lose if F&B stand operators benefit a little? Family tickets at good prices will also increase gate revenue at little additional costs, as families are more likely not to be able to afford tickets as they have to buy many tickets from a single budget. It also improves the experience for every by creating a family friendly and more entertaining atmosphere with kids yelling and supporting their team. Rugby also have a lot of other benefits to gain including raising the profile of the game and participation level. However, let's continue with the narrow minded loose-loose mentality that plague rugby in the past couple of years...