Waratahs 2014

[BDA]

Study carefully the NSW RU's and the ARU's Annual Reports, even BP's open declarations re the very poor financial state the code's in, the hard facts are what's depressing, they should never have become so.

If the Tahs' crowds stayed where they were in 2012-13, ditto those in other States bar QLD, and the ARU doesn't get a massive additional $ boost from S18 TV revenues from 2016, the whole Australian rugby enterprise risks insolvency in the 2016-17 period.

surely this type of talk is more suited to another thread, like perhaps "the The Awful Truth about the ARU's finance" or whatever its called. Leaving aside the code's finances, if you cant enjoy the tahs current situation, you never will

I understand the point you are trying to make, but id prefer to look at it as a glass half full situation we have, rather than a half empty one

 

[kiap]

Hopefully we get three of them in there.

I think we can.

Might see something like this. (I could be overrating the Chiefs - hard to say)

Team  Pts R17 R18 R19 W/L Pts
----- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Tahs   43 BRU HIG RED 3-0  56
Saders 41 HUR BLU HIG 3-0  54
Shorks 45  -  CHE STO 2-0  54
Chiefs 35 HIG HUR BLU 3-0  48
Force  36 BLU RED BRU 2-1  45
Brums  40 WAR  -  FOR 1-1  45

Top three are looking pretty good but fighting for the order.

 

[RedsHappy]

surely this type of talk is more suited to another thread, like perhaps "the The Awful Truth about the ARU's finance" or whatever its called. Leaving aside the code's finances, if you cant enjoy the tahs current situation, you never will

I understand the point you are trying to make, but id prefer to look at it as a glass half full situation we have, rather than a half empty one

FFS! Read the post you first responded to! I was providing a financial/code viability rationale re why we all should not only enjoy the current Tahs status but equally get behind them 100% to win the S15 comp! That they have a real chance of doing this was the whole point. But the key observation I made is that their potential success this year goes way, way beyond mere fan gratification in its long-term significance to Aus rugby as a whole.

Plus I've made many other recent posts highlighting the Tahs' current achievements and celebrating their superb 2014 rugby skills.

I want the Tahs glass to get much more than half full in reality, not just hope it might feel like that at the moment.

 

[Omar Comin']

An article on the SMH website suggests any semi final would be at the SFS, while only the final would have to be at ANZ (and so it should!).

If the Tahs do make the final I think they should really consider making the ticket prices quite cheap in the lower categories. Give themselves a chance of packing the place out.

A full house would be worth more in the long run I think than a significantly smaller crowd that made a little more money. The added support would give the Tahs a better chance of winning the match and it would provide such a boost for NSW and Australian rugby.

 

[Omar Comin']

Actually it will be really interesting to see what crowd the Waratahs can get for the Brumbies match at ANZ. They have 4 weeks to promote it, the prices are reasonable, the Waratahs form and style of play is excellent and the match is crucial.

If that isn't the perfect storm for a big crowd I don't know what is. Anything under 40k would be disappointing.

 

[p.Tah]

An article on the SMH website suggests any semi final would be at the SFS, while only the final would have to be at ANZ (and so it.

It appears I was wrong about all finals having to be at ANZ. Iain Payten's article states what you have said.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...oost-to-finances/story-e6frf4t3-1226939032513

 

[Pfitzy]

Actually it will be really interesting to see what crowd the Waratahs can get for the Brumbies match at ANZ. They have 4 weeks to promote it, the prices are reasonable, the Waratahs form and style of play is excellent and the match is crucial.

If that isn't the perfect storm for a big crowd I don't know what is. Anything under 40k would be disappointing.

Back in the day, when Gregan etc. were still getting around, you'd get a shitload of Brumbies fans travelling to pack out the SFS. But I wouldn't expect more than 6k to come from Brumbieland direct, given their recent crowd stats. Maybe a few Sydney-based supporters.

The big problem is this attitude:

Fahk

Aw... boo-frickity-hoo. So its a bit of a trip for you and doesn't have enough boutique pubs/dentists?

This isn't aimed at you Gagger, but to everyone:

I get that the atmosphere at ANZ isn't great - because generally its a fucking huge stadium with a fucking small crowd. But shit, if people can't get on the train now, then the crowd isn't going to get much bigger, is it?

We all make sacrifices - mine is to travel a fucking long way to the SFS from my place, to support the team and provide witty rejoinders to the crowd to remind them that they have a heartbeat, and that rugby is meant to be CHEERED, not muttered at. All very well to sit in the tree-lined east and wax lyrical about a jolly good game of rugby, but sometimes it needs to be more.

With all the possibilities in front of us, we need everyone there to help the boys get over the line and actually show these other hick provinces how its done.

So even if you break out in hives or something when crossing the M3, put up with the itching for two hours and then scuttle back to the safety of your enclave once its finished, and we've got a horse's head mounted to the battlements as we march towards the finals.

You've got four weeks to get your mates on board - I'd love for a whole passel o' GAGR fans to get into one bay and raise merry hell.

What say you?

 

[Gagger]

You've got four weeks to get your mates on board - I'd love for a whole passel o' GAGR fans to get into one bay and raise merry hell.

What say you?

Oh, I'll be there with bells on and there'll be much merrymaking despite your rejoinders!

But the wine bar choice......

 

[Lindommer]

Would the boot of my car suffice.....?

 

[Pfitzy]

Oh, I'll be there with bells on and there'll be much merrymaking despite your rejoinders!

Hush now. The grownups are talking.

Would the boot of my car suffice...?

A very good thought, however it indicates that you're driving, which limits the merrymaking of which we speak.

What we need is some sort of mobile bar with a suitable collection of wines and beers. Or a table at Bacar for those who enjoy fine dining.

 

[boyo]

An article on the SMH website suggests any semi final would be at the SFS, while only the final would have to be at ANZ (and so it should!).

If the Tahs do make the final I think they should really consider making the ticket prices quite cheap in the lower categories. Give themselves a chance of packing the place out.

Cheaper ticket prices are vital to the marketing. the costs can be supplemented with food, beverage, merchandise, etc. sales.

 

[BDA]

My tickets to the Reds v Saders grand final at Suncorp were $30. cheap as chips.

 

[Braveheart81]

Cheaper ticket prices are vital to the marketing. the costs can be supplemented with food, beverage, merchandise, etc. sales.

Merchandise maybe, but food and beverage sales stay with the venue operator to my knowledge.

I think they just need to avoid jacking up the prices for the finals.

Considering general admission tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children or $55 for a family (2 adults 2 children) and there are generally multiple discount options available from there, I don't think ticket prices need to go lower to increase the crowd size.

If you can't attract people to a final with that sort of pricing I don't think dropping it further is going to make a difference.

 

[Pfitzy]

Its not the pricing, its the value for money. If the Tahs get into the final playing the way they did on the weekend, then by fuck I'll pay $50 for GA!

 

[barbarian]

Yeah ticket prices for Tahs games have been good for a while, I don't think that's really the issue. Promotions, marketing and coverage on nightly news would be far more influential in the lead-up to the finals IMO.
.

 

[Pfitzy]

Even on the news last night, the lead rugby story was the Brumbies before the Tahs. In Sydney.

That's fucking shocking. Then again, all the FTA stations treat rugby like a leper.

 

[cyclopath]

Even on the news last night, the lead rugby story was the Brumbies before the Tahs. In Sydney.

That's fucking shocking. Then again, all the FTA stations treat rugby like a leper.

The tagline for the Tahs performance in the Sun Herald was "Folau has Tahs Eying Title".
Now Izzy played a decent game, except for his boots, but any number of players were clearly much bigger influences in the Tahs winning that game - AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Douglas, Dennis, TPN, Phipps to name but a few.
Even the rugby stories have to keep a "league" tie-in for Fairfax, it seems.

 

[qwerty51]

What we it be if we win the title?

"Folau delivers Waratahs title"

 

[Braveheart81]

What we it be if we win the title?

"Folau delivers Waratahs title"

The NRL emerges victorious in Super Rugby Final

 

[cyclopath]

What we it be if we win the title?

"Folau delivers Waratahs title"

In the old days, I'd say the type-set was already in place.
It's a double-edged sword in a way. Folau is undoubtedly the best marketing figure we've had for years - great player, humble, kids love him, doesn't get into shit. But if all the focus stays on him as the one-man team, the appeal will be limited.
Like the Reds did when they were top, we need multiple players who have that profile being developed.
I think, as with many ills at the Tahs, the fault lies in the media / marketing department at HQ which seems disinterested in trying, or poorly equipped, to actually market the team.