blogging it real

A record year for the regular season with 14,780 the average crowd. That's 148 more than last season which was also the highest average the league had ever seen at that point. But 8 of the 15 teams had smaller averages than last year and strangely several of them were sides who actually did well this year (Bulldogs, Roosters, Panthers and Storm). You would think that successful teams would have built up strong support bases. Maybe a bit more promotion needed in those spots.

Team Averages
Brisbane 28,667 (+)
Bulldogs 19,693 (-)
Roosters 18,514 (-)
Newcastle 17,259 (-)
Penrith 16,836 (-)
North Qld 16,696 (+)
St Geo-Illa 14,347 (+)
Wests Tigers 13,935 (+)
Sharks 12,489 (-)
Parramatta 11,766 (+)
Sea Eagles 11,203 (+)
Canberra 11,118 (-)
Souths 9,759 (+)
Warriors 9,344 (- about 7000)
Melbourne 8,889 (-)

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On another note what the fuck happened to the Super 12?

What happened to a Pacific Island team?

I guess now the Aussie sides will pinch all the good island players.

The NPC is now about to officially become the second division of New Zealand domestic rugby. The second division becomes the 4th division as the current first division teams have all the next best players in their 2nd XV's and the third division becomes the sixth division, incapable of beating an average Auckland club side.

Never mind I'm sure the NZRFU know what they are doing. Muhahaha

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In the Bartercard Cup in the weekend Marist Richmond beat Mt Albert 30-22 to go straight into the final while Otahuhu Ellerslie knocked North Harbour out of the title race with a 25-6 victory.

So next weekend Mt Albert will play Otahuhu Ellerslie for a chance at the title v Marist Richmond.

In Auckland here were the results from the weekend...

Mad Butcher Fox Memorial - Preliminary Semifinals
Mangere East Hawks 32 Mt Albert Lions 14
Manurewa Marlins 19 Richmond Bulldogs 10

Mangere East into the final with Manurewa to play Mt Albert for the other spot.

Suburban Newspapers Sharman Cup - Major Semifinal
Te Atatu Roosters 21 Howick Hornets 16

Te Atatu v Manukau in the 2nd division final next week.

UNDER 13 CHAMPIONSHIP
Otahuhu 22 Ponsonby 20
UNDER 14 CHAMPIONSHIP
Mangere East 32 Otahuhu Leopards 12
UNDER 15 CHAMPIONSHIP
Otahuhu Gold 42 Mangere East 24
UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP
Otara Blues 16 Bay Roskil/Ellerslie 15
UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP
Pakuranga 34 Papatoetoe 30
Open Age Restricted CHAMPIONSHIP
Glenora 24 Mangere East Hawks 20

And in the national secondary school quarterfinals...
Kelston Boys High School 26
Otaki College 14

Northland College 30
Nelson College 16

Aranui High School 62
Rakaumanga School 8

St Pauls were seeded so they went straight into one semi final to be played midweek against Kelston Boys High while Northland College will take on Aranui High School in the other.

As I understand it the final will be curtainraiser to the Bartercard Cup final.

For good league info check out the new nz rugby league website that's just starting to get going.

And these blokes won the Dunedin club title. They are the University student team and they beat the Southern Raiders 14-6 in the final.

And the Marist Dragons beat the Waitara Bears 19-12 to win the title in Taranaki.