The opening week of the inaugural Tooheys New Super 14 competition has attracted a record total crowd figure in Australia, with more than 75,000 people attending the two matches in Perth and Brisbane.
With the Western Force and Brumbies clash at Subiaco Oval on Friday night attracting a crowd of 37,037, and then the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs bringing in 38,947, the total crowd figure of 75,984 across only two matches breaks the previous record set in Week 1 last year of 75,027 from three matches.
With strong crowds in Australia adding to a total Week 1 crowd figure of more than 230,000 across New Zealand and South Africa as well, the new South African team the Cheetahs hosted the Bulls in Bloemfontein in front of a crowd of 37,383, a near sell out, while more than 35,000 were at Eden Park in Auckland for the competition opener between the Blues and the Hurricanes.
Australian Rugby Union Managing Director and CEO Gary Flowers says the weekends crowd figures indicate a new Australian team and two local derbies to kick off the new competition was a huge success.
“There was plenty of anticipation ahead of the first ever Super 14 match for the Western Force and it was great to see so many West Australians showing their support and colours at Subiaco on Friday night,” said Flowers.
“To back it up with a good game and a fantastic atmosphere at Suncorp on Saturday night between the Reds and Waratahs was definitely a special way to kick off the inaugural Tooheys New Super 14.”
“With the Waratahs and Brumbies already in South Africa, and the Force on their way to New Zealand to take on the Hurricanes, the true international nature of the tournament is now well and truly in full swing.”
This week the only match in Australia will see the Reds play last year’s champions the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Record Weekly Australian Crowd:
New Record – 2006 – Week 1
Fri 10 Feb – Western Force v Brumbies at Subiaco Oval – Crowd 37,037
Sat 11 Feb – Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium – Crowd 38,947
Total: 75,984
Previous Record – 2005 – Week 1
Fri 25 Feb – NSW Waratahs v Chiefs at Aussie Stadium – Crowd 24,115
Sat 26 Feb – Brumbies v Crusaders at Canberra Stadium – Crowd 30,815
Sat 26 Feb – Queensland Reds v Hurricanes at Ballymore – Crowd: 20,097
Total: 75,027
2006 Super 14 Week 1 – Crowd Figures
Fri 10 Feb – Blues v Hurricanes at Eden Park – Crowd: 35,200
Fri 10 Feb – Western Force v Brumbies at Subiaco – Crowd: 37,037
Fri 10 Feb – Cheetahs v Bulls at Vodacom Park – Crowd: 37,383
Sat 11 Feb – Crusaders v Highlanders at Jade Stadium – Crowd: 28,000
Sat 11 Feb – Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium – Crowd: 38,947
Sat 11 Feb – Cats v Stormers at Ellis Park – Crowd: 27,997
Sat 11 Feb – Sharks v Chiefs at Absa Stadium – Crowd: 26,512
Total: 231, 076
Record Australian Crowd for a single match:
Sat 8 May 2004
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium – Crowd: 42,237
Record Australian Crowds for a single match by team:
Sat 8 May 2004
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium – Crowd: 42,237
Sat 20 April 2002
NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Aussie Stadium – Crowd: 41,645
Fri 10 Feb 2006
Western Force v Brumbies at Subiaco Oval – Crowd: 37,037
Sat 22 May 2004 Super 12 Final – Brumbies v Crusaders at Canberra Stadium – Crowd: 28,753