Crusaders boss ‘received threats’ after issuing cowbell ban for Chiefs fans
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge says he received threats after banning Chiefs fans from bringing cowbells into Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific final.
The Crusaders are hosting the decider in Christchurch and while Mansbridge said visiting supporters were welcome to the Apollo Projects Stadium, cowbells would not be allowed into the venue.
Beloved by Chiefs fans, and disliked by rivals, the loud sound of clattering cowbells has long been a traditional feature at home matches for the Chiefs and Waikato in Hamilton.
It’s a nod to Waikato’s agricultural roots and a ringing connection between the Chiefs and their supporters.
When the Crusaders chief executive banned them because he didn’t want to concede any of their home advantage, it triggered some emotional responses, and even some idle threats.
“It's a bit trite, but now this has turned into something bigger than Africa, I am a little bit concerned about people who say ‘I'm going to show you how I can wave my cowbell around’,” Mansbridge said on Wednesday.
“I've already received threats this morning by phone, by email, from people who are very passionate about it.
“Some person suggested they're going to bury a cowbell in my head, that's how they're feeling about it.”
Mansbridge said the cowbell ban had started as banter between him and Chiefs chief executive Simon Graafhuis.
Via a LinkedIn post, Mansbridge jokingly said he would “melt down” cowbells on the gate ahead of a “game for the ages”.
Graafhuis said the ban was “disappointing”, but they have responded by launching a cowbell website where fans can replicate its clanging noise.
The Chiefs would have hosted the final in Hamilton had they not lost 20-19 to the Blues in the opening week of the playoffs, a defeat that surrendered the top seeding to the Crusaders.
“We’ve committed to not letting them bring cowbells and for all the right reasons,” Mansbridge said.
He said it was their directive and was not enforced by Venues Ōtautahi, a Christchurch events company which prohibits items such as whistles, musical instruments, air horns and vuvuzelas. Cowbells were not listed.
Saturday’s final will be the Crusaders’ last at Apollo Projects Stadium before they relocate to their new Te Kaha home next year.
The temporary venue where the red and blacks won seven titles in Scott Robertson’s dynasty holds about 17,000 spectators.
“It’s not FMG Stadium [Waikato], it’s not Eden Park,” Mansbridge said. Those stadiums have capacities of about 25,000 and 45,000 respectively.
“If you start waving around anything, flags or whatever, you're going to end up in a full stadium annoying the other punters around you.
“They can bring their cell phones, turn them on loud, do what they like, cheer and chant, and hopefully they have a great game.”
Graafhuis said the cowbells were iconic and that Chiefs fans would make themselves heard in Christchurch.
“Hopefully we might have got under their skin a little bit. I thought they might have been focusing on the game, but they’re obviously worried about the fans,” he said.
“I’m sure our fans will turn up in numbers and make their presence felt, however they can.
“It’s a good way to keep the banter going. If bells do get confiscated, we can still make the noise of them.”
Mansbridge said the final “essentially sold out” within minutes, but more tickets would be made available on Thursday morning at 9am.
He was not sure how many Chiefs fans would be attending.
The Crusaders, who have never lost a playoff match at home, are aiming to win their eighth title in nine years after an improved second season under coach Rob Penney.
The Chiefs are desperate for their first title since 2013 in Clayton McMillan’s last match in charge after losing three finals in four years, including two against the Crusaders in 2021 and 2023.