With a rather subdued first weekend of the Autumn Nation Series complete, among many of the problems troubling the game, what can be done to wake up the crowds, that fell silent throughout much of the weekend.
I ask, albeit controversially, is it time for away ends in rugby?
It was remarkably quiet in the Principality, Murrayfield and Twickenham. The games themselves weren’t thrilling contests that sparked either drama or controversy, but the lack of noise following the first whistle was quite telling. Only the faintest choruses of Swing Low were heard during the game, and very infrequent calls of ‘Wales, Waaaaaaales’ in Cardiff.
Now, it is here where I should probably caveat that the Autumn Internationals have never quite sparked the matchday intensity of a Six Nations international for many obvious reasons. And that is part of a much wider (international season) question for World Rugby to continue to ponder with little action. But nonetheless, each of these stadiums were devoid of any atmosphere and the crowds were unusually flat even by autumn standards.
So, are away sections the answer? They would provide noisy rivalry which would hopefully embarrass the home fans into some voice. It would also create vivid pictures for TV productions to more easily capture the joy of an away try or win (ie ‘limbs’). Now I understand that an away section at Twickenham on Sunday would’ve been filled by no less than a few hundred Argentine fans but the effect for a 6N would be far greater and may even encourage more away fans to travel.
But if not away sections, then why not more loyal/noisier sections for home fans, creating either a Stretford End or a Kop equivalent at a prime spot in Twickenham, inspiring the rest of the crowd into song. Community rugby clubs could be invited to join the sections to add extra decibels.
Sadly, something is needed to stimulate the fans. While I accept the England match was on a sleepy Sunday with many families in attendance with cheap tickets, the game needed a more intense feel. Maybe that’s on Eddies men to provide a performance with intensity rather than relying on the crowd but one doesn’t normally come without the other.
The Stade De France was rocking on Saturday night. With a livelier crowd came a livelier game. Home nations will be looking on in envy at Paris and trying to replicate their seemingly magic formula for creating atmosphere.
And look, I am a big fan of integrated fans, purely because it shows the differences between football hooliganism and gentlemanly rugby. It perfectly symbolises the friendly atmosphere of a rugby match compared to the sometimes-unhealthy ferocity of a football match. But surely a good balance can be struck.
Rugby, on the whole can’t be in the position to say no to change. The WRU, in particular, are massively under threat from the rising popularity of football in the country that has witnessed absolutely electric atmospheres at the City Stadium that blows the once world-famous Principality out of the water.
Something needs to change to improve the match day experience, and anything as little as just trialling even away sections or more loyal home sections could make such a big difference.
I am hopeful this will happen, no. But if the atmospheres of this weekend continue to be replicated, then attendances will only fall, further leaving Union Executives scratching their heads asking, ‘what more can we do’?
Commentaires