It was bizarre to take the final there in the first place though. I made the trip down from Auckland but doubt a significant number did.
International Pacific Championship
- Thread starter Shogun
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Hamilton, hardly the heartland. That's why it should'a been in Akld. Even Well & Chch would'a been better
There was 13k at that Hamilton final. Still poor, especially for a final, but way more than 7k.
For context the last Kiwis v Kangaroos fixture in NZ before that at Mt Smart drew 12k in our league 'heartland'.
The last test played in Welly didn't break 13k.
The last test in Chch at 17k was our best in awhile for a non MMT/Samoa game.
The emergence of MMT/Samoa has either split the old Kiwis fanbase, or the Kiwis brand and test footy just isn't that big a deal to the NZ public.
For context the last Kiwis v Kangaroos fixture in NZ before that at Mt Smart drew 12k in our league 'heartland'.
The last test played in Welly didn't break 13k.
The last test in Chch at 17k was our best in awhile for a non MMT/Samoa game.
The emergence of MMT/Samoa has either split the old Kiwis fanbase, or the Kiwis brand and test footy just isn't that big a deal to the NZ public.
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Yep, the kiwis brand and marketing needs to improve and perform on the field. Seeing Tonga and Samoa get their guys back is cool. We and Australia have benefited plenty from their player stocks
There’s a massive concentration spent on origin in Aussie and although they talk about wanting to grow the international game it really comes across as nothing but lip service when you read things like this
From Fox sports
"A past financial incentive to play for Australia has also diminished. Less than a decade ago, the Kangaroos match fee was $20,000; it is now $3000, just 10 per cent of an Origin match payment, which top Pasifika players who are eligible for NSW and Queensland can still get.
Nine Newspapers reported that these Kangaroos players would get $13,000 for the Ashes tour; several weeks in England and three Tests. Yes: they used to get more for a single Test than they will for this entire tour, off the back of a gruelling NRL season
Tis why I stopped following Origin.
It was pretty clear the propaganda 'the greatest format of the game' was about Australian ownership and control of the code.
They're not interested in tests because they don't own the teams, and they can't have anything challenging their bs about Origin being the pinnacle of the sport.
Their taking over the Pacific cup is more of the same shit. They are not interested in it. They see a product and they see competition to Origin, so they take it over and control it to ensure it is not a threat to their empire.
Moral of the story, Australia sucks.
NZWarriors.com
It doesn’t interest me either and to be fair the games I have seen in recent years, I’ve seen plenty of club games better. They try to talk origin up but anyone can see that international games with the strength, theatre and following of the pacific nations has made internationals superior
NZWarriors.com
Sa look awesome, the ferns are shell shocked.
Good for the game to have someone challenge the duopoly of NZ and Australia in the women's game.
As much as the Ferns are my team, I am never too unhappy when the game gets a new power.
Terrible start girls need the introduction of Lauititi…
NZWarriors.com
Ferns picking players on favouritism not form. Georgia Hale was pretty ordinary in NRLW. Takairangi was mud too. And they're the 2 missing tackles or getting run over.
Oh my, senior player turning cheap ball over. Danger....danger...
Awesome defence from Samoa, both rushing up and holding the line....
Samoa race away, and the crowd goes insane!!
Samoa race away, and the crowd goes insane!!
NZWarriors.com
I watched their games last year and they looked really sharp.
I told my cousin that the girls might have a bigger chance of a win than the boys. Lots of Aussie hardened girls in there. A good mix of power and skill.
I’d hook Maliepo she is having an absolute shocker… terrible kicks all game.
Hale and McGregor past their use by date, so slow releasing the ball.
Hale and McGregor past their use by date, so slow releasing the ball.
Outside backs are average aswell
NZWarriors.com
Trying not to be mean spirited about it, wishing a hiding on the Ferns to serve as a lesson....looking likely....
Favoritism is toxic hey.
The ferns aren't even giving themselves a chance with how they've been playing so far. To be fair though Samoa have been super disciplined and have nailed all their opportunities.