This worth a listen. They talk to the BOPRU CEO about the number of Super players in the squad next year, TTT and Rapid rugby.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/plenty-of-steam/e/65036094?autoplay=true

@bayimports You're right. By far and away the bulk of club players in the Steamers come from The Western Bay although I don't know what the exact beakdown is. Its always been a "bone of contention" from Rotorua clubs that more of their players aren't selected but the fact of the matter is that Western Bay Clubs are better at recruiting. I don't think however that is the reason for the difference in crowd numbers. Theres probably several reasons.

1. The demographics of Rotorua and Tauranga are totally different. Tauranga seems to be older and possibly more affluent.

2. Rotorua is burdened with night games which aren't much fun when its cold, and hence the low crowd numbers. Its easier to get a crowd for a day game although I'm sure Tauranga day game crowds would still be bigger than Rotorua day time crowds.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter as Rotorua is the only place with lights so it gets all night games. The BOPRU has however given Tauranga three games this year which was one more than last year. I personally would love a stadium with lights at Tauranga with all games there but I doubt that will never happen.

My thoughts:-

1. Shame on you Rotorua for not coming out in numbers to the semi and the final. Those games were high profile and the weather came to the party so there really wasn't to many excuses for the poor attendance. I'm sure if those games were played in Tauranga there would have been almost double the crowd. I see the topic of a Tauranga stadium is appearing in the media again.

2. While it wasn't a flash game, it was enthralling, probably because it was a final and close. The Manawatu semi, while being a spectacle, just wasn't as captivating for me... mainly because it was so one sided. I'm a hard man to please I guess even if I aged 10 years during last nights game.

3. I haven't seen the game on TV but, at the ground , the game plan seemed odd. Too much kicking (especially in the first half) and not enough use of the strike power out wide.

4. Good on them for holding out at the end ! Past teams perhaps wouldn't have.

5. I guess we will have to start wondering who will be back next year (and who won't) and who will move to the province. If the rumours are true (and I'm not saying they are) we will be getting Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi for next year which is interesting.

6. Given that we beat three Premier teams and almost beat a couple of others , I think this years team would foot it comfortably in the top division. However we don't know the make up of next years team so things are somewhat uncertain. I think I heard Clayton McMillan say somewhere that it is easier to stay in The Premier Division than it is to get promoted up from the Championship which stands to reason.

7. The Union seems to be in a good position right now with success of age group teams, Development and The Steamers which bodes well for the future.

8. I will miss the NPC .

This is definitely worth a listen for some shield memories.

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-8-2019-riding-with-a-log-of-wood/id1478035549?i=1000453569827

@Bovidae I know BOP looked at that "latter in the day" time slot but I assume there just wasn't enough light. The decision in the end came down to floodlights which Tauranga Domain simply doesn't have.

Free entry is a great idea. I hope they fill the place up.

@KiwiPie You're obviously right but it wouldn't be the first time rugby and cricket haven't been played on the sane ground (and within the space of a short timespan as well) as Donsteppa pointed out.

@KiwiPie Yep, I will make my usual pilgrimage across.

You would think they could somehow rig up temporary seating at The Bay Oval cricket ground at the Mount...The lighting's there, parking is less of a problem and it would bring in some revenue to the ground when it is not very busy. I'm sure there is very good reasons why that doesn't happen.

@KiwiPie Agreed. A packed out Tauranga Domain on a sunny afternoon is way better than a smallish crowd on a cold night in Rotorua. I really hope people turn up for this one.

@Steven-Harris I agree, they would probably beat the Steamers. They are a good team, as I said, but HB were shown up.

@Stargazer I don't mean to "talk you down" but I beg to differ. I thought you were shown up at scrums, lineouts, on defense and appeared to lack imagination on attack. The final few points came when the game was effectively over and Tasman had replaced many of their topline players which blew out the score.

Don't get me wrong, you guys have a competitive team but it must be a concern to concede so many points against us and Tasman and on that performance, the TAB odds of a BOP Championship win will be lengthening. Bop definitely has the momentum and probably has the easier run to the final. But as the Southland game showed, we are beatable. Personally I would love to see a HB-Bop final.