Lancaster raised the issue when asked about the state of Super Rugby and he touched on it last night on Sky\u2019s Breakdown when he said: \u201cWe have a lot of belief in the product of Super Rugby. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll the metrics tells us that \u2013 the number of tries scored, winning margins, the number of minutes lost to match officials\u2019 intervention\u2026 whether those are tracking up or down – they\u2019re all tracking in the right direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose markers are really good but we don\u2019t shy away from is we don\u2019t see the crowds we\u2019d like to see in the stadiums. We have great viewership\u2026 we have incredible online engagement, and Super Rugby is the most followed domestic rugby competition in the world on social media. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut we acknowledge we need to do more to get crowds in the stadia. This constant talk about empty seats is a problem and it\u2019s something we need to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lancaster and his colleagues at NZ Rugby can promote the game, make it more attractive by tweaking the laws, and liaise with broadcaster Sky on schedules and kick-off times but otherwise its hands are largely tied in terms of attracting crowds.<\/p>\n
They can’t do much to alter the stadium experience itself and, for whatever reason, crowds are not responding to Eden Park, Waikato Stadium, or Wellington\u2019s Cake Tin. Crowds at Dunedin\u2019s indoor stadium are largely dependent on Otago University\u2019s semester schedule.<\/p>\n
Christchurch\u2019s new Te Kaha One NZ Stadium was sold out for the weekend\u2019s derby between the Crusaders and Blues <\/a>and also at capacity for the entire Super Round during Anzac weekend and it will be intriguing to see whether the central city arena maintains its popularity. <\/p>\n The novelty factor is obviously in its favour, but so is its location. By virtually every measure, it is the best stadium in the country<\/a> for convenience and game-day experience.<\/p>\n Sevu Reece celebrates his try against the Blues at a full Te Kaha Stadium with teammate Macca Springer. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n Lancaster hailed the success of the recent Super Round \u2013 the first time it has been held anywhere other than Melbourne \u2013 and said it would not be under threat from a potential future Anzac Day Test between the All Blacks and Wallabies as it could be held at any time during the season.<\/p>\n Australian media are reporting the Anzac Day Test, which would almost certainly be held across the Tasman<\/a>, as a fait accompli, but Lancaster took a more cautious approach to a fixture in a World Cup year which requires some extensive organising.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it could be a real boon for the game to have a \u2018tent pole\u2019 game at that time of year and particularly in the Australian market if we play it in Australia,\u201d Lancaster said on the Breakdown. <\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t made any decisions on that. We\u2019ve been open that we\u2019re considering it. Rugby Australia are really keen on it and we think it\u2019s a good idea but there\u2019s a whole lot of stuff that we have to work through.\u201d<\/p>\n Moana Pasifika<\/p>\n Lancaster was asked on the Breakdown about Moana Pasifika\u2019s looming demise at the end of the season. He said NZ Rugby could not help financially, \u201cbut we have a very open mind to parties that we are currently engaging with who are looking to find a way to keep that club operating beyond this year”. <\/p>\n NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster speaks to the media after being confirmed in the role recently. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n \u201cOver the next month,i we expect to have a lot more clarity and we need to have that clarity before too long for next year\u2019s competition.”<\/p>\n Eligibility rules<\/p>\n![\"Sevu](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/sevu-reece-celebrates-his-try-against-the-blues-at-a-full-te-HLVCXKITFBD53OTIJAH4F54PH4.jpg\")
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