Filipos gone to france because jacks coming back, cant remember which team filipos signed with though

Television is to blame for the continual decrease in attendances. Why would one bother to go to a game when the surroundings at home are much more enjoyable. Warmth, commentary, beers, food, friends CHEAP... makes so much sense. So much sense that everyone is starting to do it! its called a recession people... but its also called priorities... Rugby just isn't what it use to be... this is what happens when the All Blacks lose their Mana

I cant believe the arrogance of the rugby union. They should be thinking of better ways to sell their product. If businesses go broke through lack of customers is it the customers fault? Last years NPC games were much better than the All Black rubbish to date. If local fans dont get to see the All Blacks at NPC or Crusader games support for the AB's is sure to disappear. AB games overseas at ungodly hours just dont cut it anymore. Bring back proper international tours. If Canterbury played Australia, Scotland, etc etc then the stadium would be full.

jeez they only got 18000 at christchurch (against italy)... bring the game back to the provinces like new plymouth (against samoa!) paying full price and selling out its 26,000 seats. Step up christchurch or lose out. However i still agree ticket prices are far too expensive... espesh as im starting to save for the world cup $1000 ticket prices already!

PS - Kirwee have once again been shunned from representative honours.

Redraw.

Andy #8, if you've been eating Fillet Steak for the past 10 years and then somebody serves you chuck steak and expects you to pay the same price... it's not going to happen. Christchurch gets the big games... Italy is not a big game.

There were plenty of reasons not to attend the test prior to the players providing (in hindsight) the most compelling. One of the biggest turn offs for me is the half completed stadium. Not much they can do about this I know, but the atmosphere is nonexistent. They simply should've played that test elsewhere, there would've been minimal complaints believe me.

Furthermore, if they play night games to maximise TV audiences and theoretically inflate the amount the NZRFU make by selling the broadcast rights... why are gate takings so crucial? I don't have a business degree but I'd have thought that gate takings are purely the cream on top... so they should get what they can. To argue the point, would you pay the same amount to see the All Blacks play Italy as you would to see them play the Boks? Which brings me back to fillet steak v chuck steak.

Tyson Keats is very average. Steve Alfield has played well at half back for Christchurch club this year. he should be in the squad.

Bruiser #3 - While you do have a point in that it's better to sell all the tickets at 3/4 the price, as opposed to half the tickets at full price, I don't think you've thought it through entirely.

Test tickets are the same price throughout the country. Carisbrook was sold out at full prices, so why should Christchurch get a discount just because they are too lazy to attend? Wellington was pretty close to a sellout, although there were a lot more empty seats. Which makes me wonder - If the prices are too high, how come some people bought a ticket but chose not to turn up due to the weather? A lot of money to waste I think.

18,000 tickets at prices ranging from $40-120 was all Chch could muster and it's our 2nd biggest city. I imagine they could easily sell that many tickets had the game been played in New Plymouth/Napier/etc (unsure of ground capacaties there, but you get my point). However, had they taken the Test there and Chch not got a game at all then there would be a huge outcry. The NZRU are bit damned if the do, damned if they don't at the moment. No matter what decision they seem to make there is always someone ready to condemn them all.

If we want to keep the ABs playing in NZ, just look in Oct. Last year was a big crowd in HK, this year will be a big crowd in Tokyo. If the NZRU can make their money overseas and the so-called fans in NZ aren't prepared to go to local Tests.......... well, you don't need a business degree to work it out!

I'm surprised there aren't a few more Belfast Cobras in there? Sssssnakes...

Ray, Ross Filipo is playing for Bayonne in the French top 14.