NPC talking points: Calls for boutique venues to become the norm

Stuff

13 September 2023

NPC talking points: Calls for boutique venues to become the norm

What a difference it makes when these provincial fixtures aren't played in vast and empty stadiums, as was the case when Canterbury played Taranaki in Rangiora, just north of Christchurch, this month.

Some 6500 fans turned up, creating an atmosphere players raved about, and one you certainly didn’t get when Canterbury played Auckland at a near-empty Eden Park last weekend.

Chants could be heard, players were energised, and it made for a significantly better viewing experience on television.

“One-hundred per cent. That was the consensus from the whole team, great atmosphere, community got behind it and, personally, I think that’s the way the NPC needs to track,” Canterbury halfback Mitchell Drummond said.

Former All Black and current Canterbury assistant coach Matt Todd agreed, saying the size of crowds NPC matches attracted were better suited to smaller venues.

Of course, it’s not as simple as provinces ditching their home grounds and moving all games, not when contracts have them locked into playing at their traditional venues.

Canterbury, for example, are currently only able to take one match away from Apollo Projects Stadium per season.

There are also, obviously, logistical challenges, including broadcasting requirements, that go with moving games.

While the NPC as it stands won’t be revamped next year, change is in the air. That much we know after a recent New Zealand Rugby review revealed an average NPC match cost about $400,000 to stage, and NZR boss Mark Robinson labelled the current model “not fit for purpose”.

Crowds sure have dropped off significantly in recent years, prompting organisers to close stands and seat everyone in one stand at some venues.

That includes Apollo Projects Stadium in the Christchurch suburb of Addington, where pre Covid enough punters turned up to warrant all three stands being open.

The good news is Auckland aren’t playing at Eden Park this weekend. Instead, they’ll host Waikato at Bell Park.

Coined the “Backyard Blitz”, Auckland Rugby boss Jarrod Bear said it was about reaching new audiences and taking NPC action to Aucklanders.

“This is about taking NPC rugby away from the typical stadium environment and reaching Aucklanders throughout the region with a fresh and exciting fan experience,” Bear said in a statement.

Other smaller venues have been used this year, with North Harbour taking matches to Onewa Domain and Wellington hosting a Ranfurly Shield match against Southland at Hutt Recreation Ground.

Whatever comes of the NPC beyond 2024, don’t be surprised if Drummond and Todd get their way and it becomes more of the norm.

Don’t adjust your TV sets

No, that wasn’t your TV playing up, and you weren’t imaging things if you thought the ball or player’s limb disappeared for a moment.

Digital billboard advertising at some NPC matches, which projects advertising on to television footage instead of utilising physical LED digital boards around the edge of fields, is behind the odd glitch.

Indeed, it’s not hard to spot when the technology is being used. And the same goes for the plywood panels at some venues, including Apollo Projects Stadium.

They’re being used where the gap between the field of play and stand isn’t big enough for the technology to know where to project the advertising.