Night Rugby

Over the weekend I heard quite a few sports broadcasters and some rugby officials expressing their disappointment at the Jade Stadium test match not having sold out yet. I won't be going and I don't think I'm the only one who isn't going for these reasons.

Firstly, it's just too damn cold. This is winter in the South Island of New Zealand, it gets very cold. As I type this it is 8.20pm, right about when the 2nd half would start, and it's 3C outside. Personally I can think of better and warmer places to be than Jade Stadium. And of course there is the chance of rain. I actually went to a test match back in 2002 that was played in pouring rain and near freezing conditions. It was not a pleasant experience.

Secondly there is the overexposure of rugby. So far this year I've seen 15 Crusaders games, many other Super 14 games, 2 tests against the Irish and I've watched the Juniors twice. That's a lot of rugby. Next up we have 3 tests against the Aussies and 3 against the South Africans. I just can't get excited about it anymore. It's been done. We've seen 2 matches against these teams a year for the past 10 years. Are we really crying out for more?

Come the 8th of July I'll be sitting at home in front of my heater watching the game on Sky. I won't have to queue to use the toilet, I'll be able to get a drink without paying through the nose or queuing. All around, I think it's a far better way to enjoy the game, and it won't cost me almost $100!

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