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The significant change in Super Rugby crowds that we can expect this weekend
By AAP
Super Rugby Aotearoa is expecting bigger crowds and better refereeing this weekend, with the chief executive of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confident the 10-week domestic competition is building up a head of steam.
Crowds for the four games held so far have been averaging about 26,000, an increase of more than 105% on the wider Super Rugby tournament before it was shut down due to COVID-19, NZR's Mark Robinson said.
TV viewing figures are up 88%.
"It's brilliant news," Robinson told reporters on Thursday. "There is a real excitement building and we have some real momentum."
That upward trend looks set to continue this weekend.
Ticket sales for Saturday's clash between the Auckland Blues and Otago Highlanders are on track to breach 25,000, while the Canterbury Crusaders are also expecting a large crowd for their first home game of the revitalised competition.
Super Rugby Aotearoa so far has been a lively affair, with the Blues coming out on top in the first two rounds of play.
The Crusaders looked lethal against the Hurricanes in their only run-out so far while the Blues have done the deed against the Hurricanes in Auckland and now the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The Chiefs also lost their first-up match against the Highlanders in Dunedin, which leaves them second bottom on the ladder – just a point ahead of the Hurricanes.
The unbeaten Blues go into their match knowing referees have taken on board complaints about some of their decisions, as a stricter line on the tackle, breakdown and offside line saw a slew of penalties dished out.
"The players are taking a little while to adjust. And the referees are taking a little while to adjust," referees boss Bryce Lawrence told Sky Sports.
"We are putting our hands up and saying that we're not quite getting it right at the moment."
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Latest Comments
France got a typically french 14 point try last week and they'll need to look for chances for another couple to be comfortable in the win against Argentina.
Fiji could actually be the ones for upset of the week. Typically clunky with players always in and out of their team this would be about the time they put another England beating performance in against Ireland.
SA to be as strong again this week carrying away from their opposition. Probably an underpar performance though.
New Zealand will be determined to actually put the triple figure score on the Azzurri this time. In actual fact a tired and physically beaten AB side has been chosen for this one so expect to see some space and free flowing rugby from both teams but still nothing more than a 30 point gap between them.
Aussie will be thwarted by a draw in their Slam attempt, otherwise another 1 point game either way.
Lets hope Japan is selecting more of its stop starters like France's Tavita Tatafu's cousin, Tavita Tatafu, otherwise it could be the biggest scoreline game of the weekend.
Go to commentsBack then, Jen it was respect and tremendous rivalries even in provincials! Scores didn't seem to matter exactly! 🙃
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