This was in this month's NZ Rugby World magazine. Bloke calling himself "Chief" was on a forum discussing poor Super 14 match attendances. Won himself a year's magazine subscription for his trouble.Link and letter below.
http://www.rugbyfoundation.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33&hl=
"I attended a few of the Canterbury games this year and there is just no atmosphere. I think there is 3 main reasons for this
1 .Is a majority of sports supporters in NZ have become apatehtic. The only real supporters now who are showing their real colours and showing up all other supporters in NZ are the Wellington Phoenix supporters (as much as it hurts me to say this not being a football fan) but these guys create an atmosphere. Yellow fever they call it a couple of guys writting some chants and songs, everyone getting behind them and bugger me they have atmosphere . How hard is that? but no this could never happen at a rugby game everyone just sits there like dummys only clapping or cheering when something good happens. What happened to encouraging your team when they're down and most need it. We all need to buck up our ideas and become better supporters.
2. In this day and age people expect an entertainment package and i'm afraid they just ain't getting it. The unions need to take a look at American sport and provide not just a 80 minute game but a 2 to 3 hour entertainment package that appeals to all ages and sexes.
3. Lastly I think there is to much pandering to the corprates I know thats where a lot of the money comes from but most of them attend games for the food and piss and I would say a majority don't even watch the game but they get looked after whereas the real rugby fan who can only just afford to go along each week has to pay over the top prices for crap food no choice in beverages and if they do try to have fun over zealous security gaurds soon put pay to that. I hate to say it but after many years of loving to go to the rugby I now much prefer to get a few mates together and head to the pub where I know we can create an atmosphere."
http://www.rugbyfoundation.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33&hl=
"I attended a few of the Canterbury games this year and there is just no atmosphere. I think there is 3 main reasons for this
1 .Is a majority of sports supporters in NZ have become apatehtic. The only real supporters now who are showing their real colours and showing up all other supporters in NZ are the Wellington Phoenix supporters (as much as it hurts me to say this not being a football fan) but these guys create an atmosphere. Yellow fever they call it a couple of guys writting some chants and songs, everyone getting behind them and bugger me they have atmosphere . How hard is that? but no this could never happen at a rugby game everyone just sits there like dummys only clapping or cheering when something good happens. What happened to encouraging your team when they're down and most need it. We all need to buck up our ideas and become better supporters.
2. In this day and age people expect an entertainment package and i'm afraid they just ain't getting it. The unions need to take a look at American sport and provide not just a 80 minute game but a 2 to 3 hour entertainment package that appeals to all ages and sexes.
3. Lastly I think there is to much pandering to the corprates I know thats where a lot of the money comes from but most of them attend games for the food and piss and I would say a majority don't even watch the game but they get looked after whereas the real rugby fan who can only just afford to go along each week has to pay over the top prices for crap food no choice in beverages and if they do try to have fun over zealous security gaurds soon put pay to that. I hate to say it but after many years of loving to go to the rugby I now much prefer to get a few mates together and head to the pub where I know we can create an atmosphere."
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Rugby - sport for people with no heart n soul.
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"Yellow fever they call it a couple of guys writting some chants and songs" 
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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I hate to say it but after many years of loving to go to the rugby I now much prefer to get a few mates together and head to the pub where I know we can create an atmosphere."
Another words, getting absolutely pissed to delude themselves that the sport is worth watching.
Sorry. I just can't help myself when it comes to good ole rugga.
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Did the teacher ever tell you about oxymorons? Good - ole - rugga
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Dont really agree with some of his points:
1. It really isnt a couple of guys writing songs. Most knew tunes from other footballing teams or backgrounds. Its really a bit of wit of many creating songs and the best ones stuck.
2. American football? Please. He's wanting to be more like YF but then suggests what the American's do?
1. It really isnt a couple of guys writing songs. Most knew tunes from other footballing teams or backgrounds. Its really a bit of wit of many creating songs and the best ones stuck.
2. American football? Please. He's wanting to be more like YF but then suggests what the American's do?
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"Yellow fever they call it a couple of guys writting some chants and songs"
...and Frankie putting them in to song books.
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3. Lastly I think there is to much pandering to the corprates I know thats where a lot of the money comes from...
Wouldn't have a clue about the moneybags who are out of control within rugga, but personally, I think our one walks on water...
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I've been saying for sometime there's no atmosphere at the thugby. When I go and try and start them up, I get blank stares back. It's like they want to join in but are afraid in case another rugby fan tells them to sit down and shut up!
I cant really see the point on a cold wet windy night drinking cold beer. The only effects are twenty minutes spent having a piss. Getting hammered and annoying people who don't want to be. I'd rather drink a hot coffee to keep warm.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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Would you guys go to a 'Canes/Blue/Cheifs/Chch game and try and start an 'atmosphere' of sorts?
I know that some NRL teams have supporters and some try to make some noise but wouldnt even compare to a few 14yo clapping thier hands.
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No. Some go, but the gaumless gits either give you the suprised, lights on nobody's in (in which most cases is true) look, or the evils as in sit down shut up im trying to eat my prawn sandwhich look.
Secondly, the sport is absolutely sh*te.
NRL I will watch - up the warriors
Secondly, the sport is absolutely sh*te.
NRL I will watch - up the warriors
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"In this day and age people expect an entertainment package and i'm afraid they just ain't getting it. The unions need to take a look at American sport and provide not just a 80 minute game but a 2 to 3 hour entertainment package that appeals to all ages and sexes. "
This point is a load of crap. If the sport aint good enough of a spectacle then turning into theatre makes it just that - theatre .. . .
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I've been saying for sometime there's no atmosphere at the thugby. When I go and try and start them up, I get blank stares back. It's like they want to join in but are afraid in case another rugby fan tells them to sit down and shut up!
I cant really see the point on a cold wet windy night drinking cold beer. The only effects are twenty minutes spent having a piss. Getting hammered and annoying people who don't want to be. I'd rather drink a hot coffee to keep warm.
Surely the answer to your problem is don't go to the rugby? If you hate it so much and the atmosphere is so bad and the game is so rubbish and its all juts really, really ,really, really not like football......
Don't go!
This subject started because of a positive comment from a rugby fan about the YF and the footy and once again has turned into a "heads up our own arses, let's have a bash at rugby and it's supporters"
Miles Davis warned about this sort of attitude at the YF awards......
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I've been saying for sometime there's no atmosphere at the thugby. When I go and try and start them up, I get blank stares back. It's like they want to join in but are afraid in case another rugby fan tells them to sit down and shut up!
I cant really see the point on a cold wet windy night drinking cold beer. The only effects are twenty minutes spent having a piss. Getting hammered and annoying people who don't want to be. I'd rather drink a hot coffee to keep warm.
Surely the answer to your problem is don't go to the rugby? If you hate it so much and the atmosphere is so bad and the game is so rubbish and its all juts really, really ,really, really not like football......
Don't go!
This subject started because of a positive comment from a rugby fan about the YF and the footy and once again has turned into a "heads up our own arses, let's have a bash at rugby and it's supporters"
Miles Davis warned about this sort of attitude at the YF awards......
Spot on, DLB.
Some of us seem to be preoocupied with sticking it to rugby every chance we get. Why? Different games, different ways of showing support. When I lived in Wellington I was a season-ticket holder for the Canes and the Lions. Yeah, the atmosphere wasn't anywhere near that of the Nix games but I enjoyed going along and watching the games. I'm a Warriors season-ticket holder up here, the atmosphere isn't the same as the Nix, so what? Going by some of the comments on here I should rip up my season-ticket and never go to Mt Smart again 'cos the atmosphere is rubbish compared to the ROF!
Why don't we just celebrate what we've got with the Nix and rise above all the other sh*t. If some rugby guys are impressed by what we're doing and want to try and do the same at Canes or Lions games, good on them.
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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My rugby experiences started with 5 nations games at Lansdowne Road, think Ive been to about 6 internationals there + the 99 Heineken Euro Cup final Ulster v Colomiers, I then moved down under and went to a few Waratahs games and I think I've been to 2 Hurricanes games in 5 years (also 01 Lions v QLD & NSW, '03 RWC Scotland v Japan, v France, Oz v NZ, 05 Lions v Wlg, v Otago, WLG Test)
I have to say there is quite a difference in atmosphere between Northern Hemisphere rugby crowds v Southern Hemisphere, but this is probably really only applicable to internationals, as I haven't been to much N Hemispher club rugby. Standing squashed together on the North Terrace at Lansdowne with 15,000 people singing Molly Malone is as good as any football crowd atmosphere I've ever been to.
Whearas the Waratahs & 'Canes games I've been to, have been comatosely boring places for atmosphere, I think the noise and singing created by the Lions fans during the tests here gives an idea of what atmosphere at rugby can be like, I just wished we had more of it.
I have to say there is quite a difference in atmosphere between Northern Hemisphere rugby crowds v Southern Hemisphere, but this is probably really only applicable to internationals, as I haven't been to much N Hemispher club rugby. Standing squashed together on the North Terrace at Lansdowne with 15,000 people singing Molly Malone is as good as any football crowd atmosphere I've ever been to.
Whearas the Waratahs & 'Canes games I've been to, have been comatosely boring places for atmosphere, I think the noise and singing created by the Lions fans during the tests here gives an idea of what atmosphere at rugby can be like, I just wished we had more of it.
When Hibs, went up, to win the Scottish Cup - I wisnae there - furfuxake!
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Agreed Ginger, Northern Hemisphere rugby's atmosphere is actually well good. Went to Bath vs Bristol Guinness Premiership last year, the worst game of rugby ever, but the crowd were singing and well into it. Would love to go to Murrayfield for a game to experience the atmosphere there.
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I don't think anyone disputes the fact that the atmosphere at the football is better than at the Rugby, even the rugby fans are seeing it.
So surely we as supporters of the Phoenix should be encouraging the supporters of other sports to come and join us too! Instead we act like meatheads, insulting their sport and effectively calling them stupid for "standing in the rain and drinking cold beer", we're in danger of becoming an elitist bunch of snobs.
It's embarrassing.
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Now, now Daniel... let's be honest there are a VERY small minority of people posting on this forum diving in to this. Even in this thread I'm not sure they are the majority.
"we're in danger of becoming" is a generalisation that doesn't stand up.
"we're in danger of becoming" is a generalisation that doesn't stand up.
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Now, now Daniel... let's be honest there are a VERY small minority of people posting on this forum diving in to this. Even in this thread I'm not sure they are the majority.
"we're in danger of becoming" is a generalisation that doesn't stand up.
"we're in danger of becoming" is a generalisation that doesn't stand up.
Kind of agree, but it's not just this thread. We've been seeing it for ages now and it's more than a few people. I believe that if an "outsider" read this forum he would say that the YF are anti-rugby.
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Now, now Daniel... let's be honest there are a VERY small minority of people posting on this forum diving in to this. Even in this thread I'm not sure they are the majority.
"we're in danger of becoming" is a generalisation that doesn't stand up.
"we're in danger of becoming" is a generalisation that doesn't stand up.
Kind of agree, but it's not just this thread. We've been seeing it for ages now and it's more than a few people. I believe that if an "outsider" read this forum he would say that the YF are anti-rugby.
And to be fair, I've been know to throw the odd quip at the oval balled sport, but some of this is getting silly.
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...and that is why they end up in Off Topic, not in the Phoenix section.
It's still a fraction of the 'Poofball' references on most union forums.
It's still a fraction of the 'Poofball' references on most union forums.
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It's still a fraction of the 'Poofball' references on most union forums.
Oh how very retro playground of you! "Yes Miss, but he started it"....
Come on we're better than that, with the right attitude toward our union friends we could capture anothe 3-4k regulars at the RoF.
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Looks like all that chanting practise has paid off!
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It's not like I'm defending any position.
You will notice that I rarely if ever contribute to any of these threads.
You will notice that I rarely if ever contribute to any of these threads.
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I suggest we use the Jag approach to settling issues such as this:
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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See? Far more civilised 
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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It's still a fraction of the 'Poofball' references on most union forums.
Oh how very retro playground of you! "Yes Miss, but he started it"....
Come on we're better than that, with the right attitude toward our union friends we could capture anothe 3-4k regulars at the RoF.
So how come you are prepared to sl*g of every footy supporter on the forum - but not a single rugby supporter
Founder
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I'll bet he does the reverse on a Rugby forum somewhere.
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It's still a fraction of the 'Poofball' references on most union forums.
Oh how very retro playground of you! "Yes Miss, but he started it"....
Come on we're better than that, with the right attitude toward our union friends we could capture anothe 3-4k regulars at the RoF.
So how come you are prepared to sl*g of every footy supporter on the forum - but not a single rugby supporter
Game, Set and Match
I like tautologies because I like them.
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Good call. Although, to be fair, sl*gging off rugby supporters is a bit like slashing the tyres on somebody's wheelchair. They're an easy target.Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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It's still a fraction of the 'Poofball' references on most union forums.
Oh how very retro playground of you! "Yes Miss, but he started it"....
Come on we're better than that, with the right attitude toward our union friends we could capture anothe 3-4k regulars at the RoF.
So how come you are prepared to sl*g of every footy supporter on the forum - but not a single rugby supporter
What? So tell me where I've sl*gged of every football supporter on the forum? Just a silly thing to say really. But once again the YF make it a football vs Rugby thing.....
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Good call. Although, to be fair, sl*gging off rugby supporters is a bit like slashing the tyres on somebody's wheelchair. They're an easy target.
Jag, A little bit surprised by your comment considering your post of a couple of hours ago
"
Spot on, DLB.
Some of us seem to be preoocupied with sticking it to rugby every chance we get. Why? Different games, different ways of showing support. When I lived in Wellington I was a season-ticket holder for the Canes and the Lions. Yeah, the atmosphere wasn't anywhere near that of the Nix games but I enjoyed going along and watching the games. I'm a Warriors season-ticket holder up here, the atmosphere isn't the same as the Nix, so what? Going by some of the comments on here I should rip up my season-ticket and never go to Mt Smart again 'cos the atmosphere is rubbish compared to the ROF!
Why don't we just celebrate what we've got with the Nix and rise above all the other sh*t. If some rugby guys are impressed by what we're doing and want to try and do the same at Canes or Lions games, good on them. "
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Posted on monday by then chief rugby baiter DLB.
Now I have to be very careful about how I say this, but I had a bit of a revelation at the weekend aided by a very good friend of mine.
My friend and I talked the week before about the respect referees are shown in rugby compared to football, my view has always been along the lines of my posting on this subject on this forum (Rugby has it right).
After the Hurricanes game on Saturday night, when in the last five minutes the ref seemed to lose the plot, I sat there glowing in my own self righteousness as the Hurricanes players accepted the decision, and acted in a very respectful way. The captain in the post match interview refused to criticise the ref and even said �he had a great game�.
�There�s the difference between rugby and football I was talking about the other night� I gloated to my mate.
�That�s what�s wrong with rugby� he answered straight back �If that were football and he was the captain the team I support, I�d be pissed off. He�s showing no passion, he�s not allowed to show any emotion. How can you expect the supporters to get behind a sport that regulates players emotions�
So I thought about it I kind of agree with him. So I was thinking that maybe a new rule this season could be that only the Captain is allowed to punch the ref?
While I�m on the subject, this country�s newspapers need to stop making excuses for its losing teams and using the referee as a scapegoat, just look at the Dom Post today and every paper for 3 months after the rugby world cup, it�s embarrassing. If the Hurricanes hadn�t played so crap for 79 minutes the iffy decision in the 80th minute wouldn�t have mattered. If the All Blacks had been a better team than France or thought about taking a drop goal then it would have been them that went on to lose to England in the semi's. Grow up.
Rant over!
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Posted on monday by then chief rugby baiter DLB.
Now I have to be very careful about how I say this, but I had a bit of a revelation at the weekend aided by a very good friend of mine.
My friend and I talked the week before about the respect referees are shown in rugby compared to football, my view has always been along the lines of my posting on this subject on this forum (Rugby has it right).
After the Hurricanes game on Saturday night, when in the last five minutes the ref seemed to lose the plot, I sat there glowing in my own self righteousness as the Hurricanes players accepted the decision, and acted in a very respectful way. The captain in the post match interview refused to criticise the ref and even said �he had a great game�.
�There�s the difference between rugby and football I was talking about the other night� I gloated to my mate.
�That�s what�s wrong with rugby� he answered straight back �If that were football and he was the captain the team I support, I�d be pissed off. He�s showing no passion, he�s not allowed to show any emotion. How can you expect the supporters to get behind a sport that regulates players emotions�
So I thought about it I kind of agree with him. So I was thinking that maybe a new rule this season could be that only the Captain is allowed to punch the ref?
While I�m on the subject, this country�s newspapers need to stop making excuses for its losing teams and using the referee as a scapegoat, just look at the Dom Post today and every paper for 3 months after the rugby world cup, it�s embarrassing. If the Hurricanes hadn�t played so crap for 79 minutes the iffy decision in the 80th minute wouldn�t have mattered. If the All Blacks had been a better team than France or thought about taking a drop goal then it would have been them that went on to lose to England in the semi's. Grow up.
Rant over!What the f*ck does that have to do with anything? Read the post again and come back to me huh?
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Hahaha ahh it's "Which United?" all over again.
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Hahaha ahh it's "Which United?" all over again.
It would be if I could be arsed.
Bollocks to it.
See ya.
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