Peternorth's 1st RL game

[peternorth]

My observations of tonights Aust-NZ RL game (sitting right of screen, level 2 behind goals just inside the sideline):

1. I thought I was in NZ with the number of kiwi fans around me. They were everywhere, and LOUD! Then I remembered my time working in migrant resource centres and realised that we have a massive kiwi population here (Ill leave debate about overstaying visas for another time )

2. The banter was different from an AFL game (where I was sitting anyway). No arguing between supporters, more smart/funny a$$ comments frow kiwis.

3. Very quiet during the game as a whole (last 10 mins aside), particularly early in the game. Seemed to wait for something to happen before the crowd would come to life. I guess it was like a settling in period.

4. Lots of people saying "choice bro"

5. Nice buxom woman in front of me with her hubbie/guy. storm supporters, she turned around a bit during the game and both even contributed to my conversation with a mate. I think she wanted me

6. Would've liked to have seen 6th tackle appear on the screen. However, without it I actually followed and counted the tackles OK. In contrast when I watch at home I need reminding.

7. When Ingles scored that MAGIC try I saw kiwi fans stand up celebrating. i thought they'd jumped ship!

8. No biffo

9. Best part of the night was when anthony callea was announced to sing the aust. national anthem everyone booed.

 

[Hicham]

8. No biffo

Unlucky, Peter. Perhaps if Willie was playing it may have been a different story. I was looking forward to Mason vs Kidwell Part 2, but alas.

Hope you enjoyed yourself mate.

 

[copa]

My observations of tonights Aust-NZ RL game (sitting right of screen, level 2 behind goals just inside the sideline):

1. I thought I was in NZ with the number of kiwi fans around me. They were everywhere, and LOUD! Then I remembered my time working in migrant resource centres and realised that we have a massive kiwi population here (Ill leave debate about overstaying visas for another time )

2. The banter was different from an AFL game (where I was sitting anyway). No arguing between supporters, more smart/funny a$$ comments frow kiwis.

3. Very quiet during the game as a whole (last 10 mins aside), particularly early in the game. Seemed to wait for something to happen before the crowd would come to life. I guess it was like a settling in period.

4. Lots of people saying "choice bro"

5. Nice buxom woman in front of me with her hubbie/guy. storm supporters, she turned around a bit during the game and both even contributed to my conversation with a mate. I think she wanted me

6. Would've liked to have seen 6th tackle appear on the screen. However, without it I actually followed and counted the tackles OK. In contrast when I watch at home I need reminding.

7. When Ingles scored that MAGIC try I saw kiwi fans stand up celebrating. i thought they'd jumped ship!

8. No biffo

9. Best part of the night was when anthony callea was announced to sing the aust. national anthem everyone booed.

The crowd did seem quiet...

there were probably a real lot of people who were new to RL at the game...

as for counting the tackles.... the ref gives a signal when they are on the last tackle... which lets the fans who lost count know that the team is on their last chance.

 

[1908]

Exactly, look at the ref when you think it is late in the tackle count.

 

[Heisenberg_]

9. Best part of the night was when anthony callea was announced to sing the aust. national anthem everyone booed.

he sucks

 

[peternorth]

Exactly, look at the ref when you think it is late in the tackle count.

yes Im not a RL expert.

 

[Philhawk]

Haha that's an awesome viewpoint.

Was the Inglis try (2nd), along your wing?

 

[Toots Hibbert]

I watched the game on 9 in Adelaide. It was shown from 11:30 PM. Looking at those pics the crowd seems really sparse. I thought there were 30,000 there but doesn't look so from that view.

Would that be a disappointing crowd?

It was a good game to watch due to the closeness of the scores but blow me down I fell asleep toward the end and missed Australia's two late tries which would have brought the house down no doubt!!

 

[Philhawk]

I watched the game on 9 in Adelaide. It was shown from 11:30 PM. Looking at those pics the crowd seems really sparse. I thought there were 30,000 there but doesn't look so from that view.

Would that be a disappointing crowd?

It was a good game to watch due to the closeness of the scores but blow me down I fell asleep toward the end and missed Australia's two late tries which would have brought the house down no doubt!!

I believe those pics would have been taken at the Pre-Match. Supposedly everyone came in when the match actually started, and from the looks of it on TV, there was definitely a rather large crowd there (though more seats should have been allocated by the Dome).

Still, 30,000 is an excellent crowd considering how a 'Rugby League heartland' in New Zealand, couldn't even draw half of that a week ago.

 

[Hicham]

I watched the game on 9 in Adelaide. It was shown from 11:30 PM. Looking at those pics the crowd seems really sparse. I thought there were 30,000 there but doesn't look so from that view.

Would that be a disappointing crowd?

It was a very respectable crowd for a Rugby League game in Melbourne, no doubt. Although I felt that it potentially could have been a touch higher. 35-40,000 would've been great. Surely the ARL have now seen that Melbourne will get behind Rugby League at this level and will pencil in more Kangaroos games there in the future.

Last night's turnout really does put Auckland to shame, though. I mean, we're likely to see at least 35,000 or so in and another apathetic city in Sydney, 50,000 in Brisbane and pretty much capacity in Wellington/Christchurch or wherever (What's Jade hold? 20-25,000?). Yet the League spoilt Aucklanders could barely reach 20,000. I know there were a few problems surrounding ticketing, but really it's a poor showing to see the defending champs.

It was a good game to watch due to the closeness of the scores but blow me down I fell asleep toward the end and missed Australia's two late tries which would have brought the house down no doubt!!

Absolutely. Don't let the scoreline fool you, it wasn't one of the better games you'll see by any stretch. Plently of one-out stuff with little or no open and attacking footy. It was always going to be an arm wrestle though with two big and physical packs going head to head, so I wasn't expecting anything different.

It was much like Origin 3 in Melbourne this year. The scoreline was exciting but the game in general was dour attack-wise for the post part.

 

[Calcium Man]

How was it with the seats being moved in?? how much closer were you to the game??

 

[peternorth]

How was it with the seats being moved in?? how much closer were you to the game??

to answer a few questions posed to me in this thread:

1. the pics were taken pre game. i was too into the contest when the game was on hence no pics.

2. the seats were moved closer so they were around say 20m from the sideline.

3. Yes where I was sitting was where Inglis scored the try

4. As for the crowd, it was never gonna be a sellout. Ticketmaster/ARL (I guess) wanted tickets sold closest to the action first to squash everyone in.

 

[Aucklander]

I was sitting just to the left of the goal posts at the Coventry end and what a view it was.

Fantastic with the seats in and a reminder of just how good it was when the Storm played at a decent stadium.

Gutted we lost as I thought we were clearly the better team on the night.

 

[WesternSydney]

I was sitting just to the left of the goal posts at the Coventry end and what a view it was.

Fantastic with the seats in and a reminder of just how good it was when the Storm played at a decent stadium.

Gutted we lost as I thought we were clearly the better team on the night.

The better team for all but 5 mins, you guys reallly needed to turn all that pressure into a few more points, unlucky, but one of the most committed Kiwi performances I've seen. Can't wait to see a fully fit NZ test side with SBW and Benji playing together.