The All Blacks' recent defeat to Argentina at Sky Stadium in Wellington sparked widespread discussion about the "poor" crowd turnout. While some bemoaned the state of rugby and the economy, the inconvenient truth lies elsewhere: New Zealanders simply aren't that interested in watching the All Blacks play the Pumas.
Beauden Barrett, a former Hurricanes star, aptly described the situation as "an inconvenient fact," reflecting on the team's six-year winless streak in Wellington. His brother, Jordie, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the uninspiring reality of the situation.
Despite the noticeable empty seats at Sky Stadium, with a crowd of 25,000, it's important to note this is a consistent figure. The average crowd for the 19 times the All Blacks have hosted the Pumas in New Zealand, across various venues and economic climates, has remained remarkably steady. This includes games played at Athletic Park in 1997, a period often considered a peak of rugby engagement. Even with a star-studded All Blacks team, a local hero making his home debut, and favourable conditions, the crowd size remained comparable to an average NPC game.
This suggests a deeper issue than simply waning interest in rugby. The Pumas, despite their recent victories, are not perceived as a "big market" team. Historically, their matches haven't been close contests, and in the early years, they weren't even considered entertaining. This historical ambivalence, coupled with the fact that the Pumas' recent breakthrough win in Christchurch was an outlier, contributes to the lacklustre crowds.
While the economic downturn in Wellington can't be dismissed entirely, it's not a direct cause of the low turnout. New Zealand Rugby would have budgeted for a crowd of this size, and every other venue in the country, aside from Eden Park, would have been filled. This begs the question of why the match was held in Wellington at all. The decision likely stemmed from Sky Stadium's convenient location for broadcasting and its obligation to host a test after last year's omission and the 2021 Eden Park debacle.
However, the most significant issue remains the lack of respect for the Pumas, who are now a genuine threat. New Zealanders need to recognise their evolving strength and acknowledge their growing stature in the rugby world. Otherwise, the All Blacks risk facing more defeats, which will undoubtedly impact future crowd numbers.
In conclusion, the low turnout at the recent All Blacks-Pumas match in Wellington is not a reflection of rugby's demise but rather a symptom of New Zealanders' lack of enthusiasm for this particular matchup. The Pumas have earned their place as a formidable opponent, and ignoring their growing presence could have serious consequences for the future of the game in New Zealand.
