Eden Park thriller between Blues and Hurricanes promotes case for afternoon rugby
Sunday, 12 May 2024
The Blues welcomed almost 26,000 fans to Eden Park for their best win of the season.
Vern Cotter’s team beat the Hurricanes and went top of Super Rugby Pacific in front of the biggest crowd of the campaign.
The Blues and the Hurricanes were unanimous in favouring an earlier kick-off time after starting at 4:35pm on Saturday.
At Eden Park, Auckland: Blues 31 (Bryce Heem 4’, Cole Forbes 36’, Mark Telea 53’, Angus Ta’avao 64’ tries; Harry Plummer 4 con, pen) Hurricanes 27 (Brad Shields 8’, Josh Moorby 43’, Peter Lakai 46’, TJ Perenara 68’ tries; Jordie Barrett 2 con, pen). HT: 14-10. Yellow card: Akira Ioane (Blues).
There was a united front from the Blues and the Hurricanes after their tense battle concluded with a dramatic finish that lifted an encouraging crowd of almost 26,000 to its feet at Eden Park.
Blues coach Vern Cotter said he didn’t breathe much in the last two minutes as his players defended their try line with a four-point lead.
The opposing coaches and captains were riding the emotions and sporting the scars of a tight contest the Blues won 31-27 on Saturday, leapfrogging the Hurricanes to go top of Super Rugby Pacific, and they were unanimous in stating a preference for more afternoon rugby.
An occasion between two flying Kiwi teams, chasing top spot in the final weeks of the regular season, with a win of great importance for the play-off picture, and a glorious but chilly day of fine weather that surely could not have deterred jittery Aucklanders wanting to watch the best of the national game at a friendlier kick-off time of 4:35pm.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said it was a great idea.
“I’m pretty sure the 26,000 was not a coincidence with the 4:30pm [kick-off]. It gives people time to get home, get a feed… brilliant,” he said.
The atmosphere was mostly reserved (with many late arrivals) until coming to life in an entertaining final quarter.
For a better view, the packed bottom tier of the South Stand almost rose as one as the Blues repelled the Hurricanes’ final attacks, erupting at full-time after the home side’s eighth win in a row.
“It was awesome,” Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said.
“We couldn't really hear ourselves speak when we came into a huddle a few times.
“Awesome weather, despite the cold, and hopefully we can get the ball rolling to have that more because we certainly felt the energy.
“It certainly felt like the crowd enjoyed it, too.”
The issue of Super Rugby crowds is a sensitive topic for the game’s bosses, highlighted more for the Blues’ home matches as they play in the biggest stadium in the biggest city, with the other code across town regularly selling out Mt Smart since the Warriors’ resurgence.
Yet the interest remains for a match of consequence, something lacking when the Blues have welcomed Australian teams to Eden Park of late. The large patches of grey seats have stood out for fixtures where the result can almost be predetermined by the fan.
Super Rugby’s heyday was a generation ago. Saturday’s occasion was a reminder of its glory days, albeit with Eden Park capable of hosting more than 40,000.
The official attendance figure provided was 25,900. Nobody was certain of the winner until Blues halfback Sam Nock found touch with a booming kick into the stands from the last play.
Cotter, in his first season leading the Blues, enjoyed his finest victory to date in front of the competition’s largest crowd of the year.
“You work hard during the week and battled there,” he said.
“There is a moment where we can appreciate a cold beer and a pat on the back. That's all part of it.
“The boys deserve to have a couple of beers. Not too many.”
Hurricanes skipper Brad Shields was deflated from their second defeat of the season that gave up top spot with three rounds to play.
“If you take away from the rugby, from a spectators’ point of view, [it was] probably an entertaining game to watch. Those sort of games are what’s going to get people back into the stadiums,” he said.
Kick-off times are typically decided by broadcasters and the 7:05pm slot (NZ time) means early risers in Europe can watch live.
And yet, such a later start, as winter approaches, is seen as difficult for those considering leaving the comforts of their lounge for the tangible buzz of a live sporting event alongside thousands of others.
A match finishing at approximately 9pm might be too late for young families.
Eden Park’s location in Auckland might be another factor (that’s a debate for another time, as well as public transport) and a winning Blues team will also maintain interest as the play-offs approach.
It will be interesting to see if as many Aucklanders bother to turn up next Saturday when the Blues play the Highlanders at Eden Park, at a later kick-off of 7:05pm.