OK so Gregor Paul in Herald on Sunday starts ratting on Eden Park and how it is an embarrassment to NZ and it"... will be the worst stadium to host a World Cup final since ... Eden Park hosted the 1987 final."
His main focus and complaint seems to be that it isn't all covered seating and that some temporary seating will be used for the finals.
I decided to write a comment at the end of the article, which 12 hours later still hasn't been published - admittedly the comments are moderated, so maybe the Herald on Sunday moderator takes Sunday off?
So to appease myself I am publishing the comment I wrote here:
"Seriously? Is this the best you can come up with? Whinging about whether or not the precious wee overseas fans are going to have their hair-do mussed up?
Because fans were soaked and chilled the previous week, they stayed away the next week? How many fans were actually there the previous week? More than 16,000? Of course you managed to leave this out because it may have countered your weak argument!
Stop creating strawmen, and do some real journalism, present all the facts, not just those that support your warped opinion!!
Agreed, we need to do more in NZ to get people along to games at a local level (Not counting the RWC), but harping on about the lack of covered seating is probably the least of our concerns - how about working more closely with local clubs - make it as easy as possible for the true fans of NZ rugby to get to the games and out again - put on buses leaving from clubs to and from Super Games and ITM Cup, discounted ticket prices for playing club members and their families. Stop catering to the corporates, so much.
Most of just want to watch the rugby!!"
I would add to that a comment made by someone on the no8.co.nz facebook page - that NZ and Auckland's infrastructure simply will not support a full-time 60,000+ seat stadium - "Why would they build a new stadium to international standards when they simply dont have the critical mass of population to make it a viable enterprise??"
Simply put, Eden Park is perfectly adequate and in fact better than a lot of others of hosting international rugby matches. If people want warm, covered seating they can either fork out for a corporate box (yeah right) or watch it at a pub or in your own home, where both options means you lose the atmosphere that feeling the elements in your face brings to the enjoyment of watching live rugby!!
For me, I want to be close enough to the field so that I can hear the tackles and know which way the wind is blowing when Dan Carter lines up the winning conversion!!
1 comment:
:) Great to read!
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