Rugby dancing to the tune of broadcasters creates problems


Sixteen thousand to a rugby league pre-season warm up jolly at North Harbour Stadium. No, I'm not joking. And that figure on the back of eleven thousand watching an earlier Warriors’ trial in Hamilton.
Those crowd numbers will of course have the critics preaching how rugby union bosses should be worried and hitting the panic button.
Well sorry about this but union bosses should have already hit the panic button over the pathetic crowd numbers turning up at Super 14 games.
But are they really that concerned? Let’s face it, gate takings pale in comparison to the almighty broadcasting dollar. And as long as rugby dances to the tune of broadcasters then the problems like playing in February, night games, and overall rugby overkill will continue to drive attendances down.
There's also the small matter of the best cricket team in the world, India, being here until early April.

This is all the info about sport from Hamish Mckay

http://www.3news.co.nz/3Sport/Rugby/HamishMcKay/tabid/765/Default.aspx