Plumtree praises the Currie Cup
Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:32
Sharks coach John Plumtree believes the fact that South Africa does not have to compete with other forms of the game, is the major factor behind the success of the Currie Cup, compared to the declining interest in domestic rugby in Australasia.
Unlike New Zealand and Australia, South Africa does not have to compete with rugby League or Aussie Rules and is why SARU battled so fiercely when talks over the expansion of the Tri Nations and Super Rugby threatened to interfere with the Currie Cup.
Australia does not have a premier domestic competition similar to the Currie Cup while new Zealand's domestic competition (the Air NZ Cup) does not compare with the Currie Cup's popularity with spectators.
More than 53,000 fans ventured to Loftus Versfeld for the Currie Cup final, compared to the 12,000 who saw Canterbury defend the Air New Zealand Cup crown in Christchurch.
The TV audience for the Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs game matched that for the Springboks' test against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein, highlighting the Currie Cup's huge popularity.
"The biggest difference between New Zealand and South Africa is that in New Zealand there are other codes for rugby to compete with," Plumtree told the New Zealand Herald.
"In South Africa, it's really rugby all year round. They are also very patriotic to their local teams.
"In Durban there's always a lot of entertainment afterwards like braais [BBQs] in the carpark. It's more than just 80 minutes of rugby, it's a day out."
Plumtree also stressed that fan fatigue is not a phrase heard in South Africa
"The mindset is a little different," said the former Wellington coach Plumtree.
"For a lot of our supporters, they can't get enough. They don't play Thursday night rugby but it would be very popular because it would give people something to look forward to earlier in the week."
"It defined and shaped domestic rugby. Super Rugby has affected things but one thing it can't do is affect the provincial tribalism of the Currie Cup."
Plumtree says the New Zealand provinces can't build a profile off the back of their All Blacks because they're not playing unlike South Africa where the Springboks are encouraged to play.
"That's a pity because when I was growing up competitions like the Ranfurly Shield were really important because they had all the top players.
"Here players can go into battle for the Springboks but the Currie Cup still ranks very highly with the top players and their appetite for it really helps the competition."
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