Bunnings NPC Thread

[Torquemada 1420]

Red & Blacks leading the Taniwha 13 - 6 at halftime. A real delight to see players such as Romano, Crotty, Rene Ranger strutting their stuff in the NPC

I came across this when researching (declining) NPC crowds
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-indi ... h-the-npc/

Hard to argue with most of it.

[Torquemada 1420]

Alama Ieremia's son appears thick as sh*t. Been on for 10 secs and red carded for cheap, late shot to the head and just cost his side any chance of getting anything from the game.

[Kiwias]

Red & Blacks leading the Taniwha 13 - 6 at halftime. A real delight to see players such as Romano, Crotty, Rene Ranger strutting their stuff in the NPC

I came across this when researching (declining) NPC crowds
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-indi ... h-the-npc/

Hard to argue with most of it.

I know that if I were living in NZ, I would be attending as many NPC games as possible, while watching SR on tv.

[Torquemada 1420]

Red & Blacks leading the Taniwha 13 - 6 at halftime. A real delight to see players such as Romano, Crotty, Rene Ranger strutting their stuff in the NPC

I came across this when researching (declining) NPC crowds
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-indi ... h-the-npc/

Hard to argue with most of it.

I know that if I were living in NZ, I would be attending as many NPC games as possible, while watching SR on tv.

Ditto. I'm bemused that a rugby mad nation appears to have lost interest in its own domestic comp.

[Gumboot]

Bay of Plenty vs Auckland about to kick off in Tauranga.

Zarn starting at 10 for Auckland.

[Guy Smiley]

I came across this when researching (declining) NPC crowds
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-indi ... h-the-npc/

Hard to argue with most of it.

I know that if I were living in NZ, I would be attending as many NPC games as possible, while watching SR on tv.

Ditto. I'm bemused that a rugby mad nation appears to have lost interest in its own domestic comp.

You're quoting an article from 2 years ago.

Why are you mounting this agenda? Why try to spin this the way you are?

[Kiwias]

Auckland steal it at the end after chasing down a big BOP lead

[Guy Smiley]

Auckland steal it at the end after chasing down a big BOP lead

I grabbed a stream just in time to see Zarn's winning kick.

[Gumboot]

Auckland steal it at the end after chasing down a big BOP lead

I grabbed a stream just in time to see Zarn's winning kick.

Pleasing finish, but he had a very mixed game tbh.

[Dan54]

Auckland steal it at the end after chasing down a big BOP lead

They surely did, hell BOP looked to have that game. It certainly an entertaing one!
I do love the NPC

[Torquemada 1420]

I know that if I were living in NZ, I would be attending as many NPC games as possible, while watching SR on tv.

Ditto. I'm bemused that a rugby mad nation appears to have lost interest in its own domestic comp.

You're quoting an article from 2 years ago.

Why are you mounting this agenda? Why try to spin this the way you are?

I'm not doing any such thing. I was watching the games this opening w/e and the paucity of the crowds (virtually none in the BOP game: I've been to bigger attendances at Chauray..... which is Federale 3....... France's 5th tier) and wondered what the stats were both now and historically. I never see the attendances published and came across that article which, coincidentally chimed with Kiwias saying how good it was to see some big name players out for the Sadists: the article highlighted the contributory issue to decline that that only happens with has been players or those in the fringes.

If you'd paid any attention in the last 20+ years, I doubt any NH poster watches as much provincial as I do and I've repeatedly said I find it the best club comp in the world. However, way back as far as 1999 (on PR Jake) I warned that Soup would eventually kill NPC and, sadly, that looks very much the case. Soup or no, the world's most rugby mad major nation per capita doesn't seem to want to bother attending matches any more. And that's both Soup and NPC.

FWIW, what do you think is incorrect now about a 2 year old article?

[Gumboot]

Taranaki beats Northland 28-13 for a 2-0 start to the season. Second heavy defeat for the Taniwha, who look well off the pace so far.

[Torquemada 1420]

Taranaki beats Northland 28-13 for a 2-0 start to the season. Second heavy defeat for the Taniwha, who look well off the pace so far.

Really unusual week for NPC where all the results followed expectation.

[Guy Smiley]

FWIW, what do you think is incorrect now about a 2 year old article?

Firstly, I know you're a passionate fan and I appreciate that. You've admitted here that you went looking for something to support your perception that crowds are down... and presented an article written back when we were trying to regain our feet after a year or so of Covid disruptions. That will frame the perspective dramatically. Every so called journo on the scene was hammering words out faster than 3 Jakes with typewriters back then speculating wildly on how the future would shape. This particular guy starts out moaning about NPC crowds not selling out the larger stadiums... well fuck me, neither does Super rugby a lot of the time because as we've discussed over the years, NZ uses the large capacity stadia for all levels of sport as we don't have the density to support numerous smaller, high quality arenas. We also have a broadcast saturated domestic product, NZR are a majority shareholder in Sky Sport here and the focus is clearly on delivering broadcast product. To that end, games are held on weeknights away from weekend primetime spots to enhance viewer numbers.

It's a dead end criticising crowd numbers in NZ... a lot of the time the crowd appears small because they're spread around a large stadium. Super Rugby attendances have rivalled European leagues for years despite the cries of small crowds from the small ground crews. NPC rugby is followed passionately by the fans here even if they don't all trundle off to the grounds every week... mid week fixtures and kids' sport means many can't make it.

Regardless of crowd size... NPC is still delivering quality rugby, unearthing solid talent and generally going around being in a rude state of health.

[Torquemada 1420]

FWIW, what do you think is incorrect now about a 2 year old article?

Firstly, I know you're a passionate fan and I appreciate that. You've admitted here that you went looking for something to support your perception that crowds are down... and presented an article written back when we were trying to regain our feet after a year or so of Covid disruptions. That will frame the perspective dramatically. Every so called journo on the scene was hammering words out faster than 3 Jakes with typewriters back then speculating wildly on how the future would shape. This particular guy starts out moaning about NPC crowds not selling out the larger stadiums... well fuck me, neither does Super rugby a lot of the time because as we've discussed over the years, NZ uses the large capacity stadia for all levels of sport as we don't have the density to support numerous smaller, high quality arenas. We also have a broadcast saturated domestic product, NZR are a majority shareholder in Sky Sport here and the focus is clearly on delivering broadcast product. To that end, games are held on weeknights away from weekend primetime spots to enhance viewer numbers.

It's a dead end criticising crowd numbers in NZ... a lot of the time the crowd appears small because they're spread around a large stadium. Super Rugby attendances have rivalled European leagues for years despite the cries of small crowds from the small ground crews. NPC rugby is followed passionately by the fans here even if they don't all trundle off to the grounds every week... mid week fixtures and kids' sport means many can't make it.

Regardless of crowd size... NPC is still delivering quality rugby, unearthing solid talent and generally going around being in a rude state of health.

I genuinely wish your summation were true but my gut feeling watching all the 1st round games highlights (as well as 2 live games) is crowds are worryingly thin. BOP has no large stadia (actually, there are few intl sized ones in NZ which was a criticism before hosting their last RWC). I accept that it's possible to be in good financial health in absentia of bodies (central funding, sugar daddy, sponsorship etc) but weakening interest would eventually bite.

Anyway, as you say I was looking for crowd data: BUT not to support my suspicion..... I really would like to be wrong, but to come to an evidenced based conclusion. Sadly, it looks like NZ rugby does not publish such info. but if any of you kiwis has a link, please help. FWIW, Midi Olympique publishes crowds for every game down to the bottom tiers in France.

[Torquemada 1420]

Looking fwd to this one. Let's see how good Counties discipline can be against a physical opponent.

[Torquemada 1420]

Superb continuity by Counties.

[Kiwias]

The Bay respond well

[Torquemada 1420]

2 unnecessarily dropped balls by a back from each side costs each team a try.

[Torquemada 1420]

Looking fwd to this one. Let's see how good Counties discipline can be against a physical opponent.

[Torquemada 1420]

Conditions not ideal but handling all round has been poor: lost track of knock ons now.

[Torquemada 1420]

That's really disappointing defending by an AB (Fakatava).

[Torquemada 1420]

WTF was that conversion attempt?

{EDIT} That was beyond retarded. 7 mins on the clock and the conversion brings the margin to 1 = a pen to win. Absolutely imperative to ensure the conversion. So he goes for the quick kick and misses.

[Torquemada 1420]

Sotutu a one man team tonight.

[Kiwias]

A dramatic end to the match with a penalty try to HB giving them the win

[Torquemada 1420]

OMG, Bay get f**king lucky there. Counties should have let the try go over in the corner because McClutchie would have missed the conversion and got his just reward for that f**kwitted earlier conversion attempt.

[Kiwias]

Bloody hell, Otago are a shower of shit.

[Torquemada 1420]

Bloody hell, Otago are a shower of shit.

Too early for me but that margin was way wider that I expected against a Welly who did not impress last week. So, I'll take your assessment as accurate!

[Gumboot]

Tasman hosting Auckland in Blenheim shortly.

More time at 10 for Zarn. Even with Tuipulotu coming back, Tasman look to have the stronger second row in Strange and PPP.

[Guy Smiley]

Tasman are having their way with Auckland so far.

[Kiwias]

Second half has been a bit flat but Auckland not seriously threatening a comeback

[Kiwias]

It’s so good that Hotham is getting heaps of game time

[Guy Smiley]

A spiral punt from Plummer

I love to see a torpedo executed well.

[Kiwias]

What has happened to Niko Jones?

[Kiwias]

North Harbour making it tough going for Canterbury at Oniwa Domain — a great ground with no piped music

[Torquemada 1420]

The 'Lands drawing just wrecked my 100% record in the FR

[MungoMan]

A spiral punt from Plummer

I love to see a torpedo executed well.

Did Harry Cuntmer actually launch a spiral torp?

Respek!

I hate it that too many RU players seem to accept the drop punt as mandatory for each and every kick out-of-hand.

[Sandstorm]

A spiral punt from Plummer

I love to see a torpedo executed well.

Did Harry Cuntmer actually launch a spiral torp?

Respek!

I hate it that too many RU players seem to accept the drop punt as mandatory for each and every kick out-of-hand.

Incredible that with the new 50/22 Law that players aren’t taught to use the torpedo again. As soon as it hits the turf, it shoots forwards and rolls into touch.

[Guy Smiley]

A spiral punt from Plummer

I love to see a torpedo executed well.

Did Harry Cuntmer actually launch a spiral torp?

Respek!

I hate it that too many RU players seem to accept the drop punt as mandatory for each and every kick out-of-hand.

Incredible that with the new 50/22 Law that players aren’t taught to use the torpedo again. As soon as it hits the turf, it shoots forwards and rolls into touch.

I followed AFL for years and you see it used sometimes in those games. There’s nothing quite like a torp

And yes MungoMan, Harry Plummer of all people. Best thing I’ve seen him do.

[Gumboot]

Great comeback by Hawke's Bay to beat Waikato 35-32 after being well behind for most of the game.

Fakatava and Godfrey bringing huge impact from the bench. That's two in a row the Magpies have pinched at the death.