The Warriors and the NRL produce consistently compelling entertainment that Super Rugby cannot currently match, writes Patrick McKendry.
A question for rugby and league fans regarding last night’s viewing: did you watch the Blues or the Warriors?
I ask because as someone who predominantly writes about rugby, the Moana Pasifika v Blues Super Rugby Pacific match at North Harbour Stadium held my attention for as long as the former were competitive in a derby match against what appeared to be, initially anyway, an alarmingly flat visiting team.
And then Sydney and the Warriors v the Parramatta Eels came calling and that was that.
Moana’s early determination and invention were admirable but once the Blues clicked into gear the outcome – a 45-19 victory - was utterly predictable, whereas the NRL fixture at CommBank Stadium was compelling entertainment from (the) start (of my viewing) to finish.
It came after the Warriors sold out Wellington’s Cake Tin last weekend for a win in which they showed real grit to come back against the Dolphins and they showed it again last night with an incredible final-quarter performance (after another period of adversity) in which they scored three converted tries for a 36-14 triumph.
It was their fourth win in a row. They have lost only two matches in nine, and they are equal top of the table. They sell out Mt Smart Stadium every week.
The acceleration of the Warriors in winning hearts and minds in this country is real, and while Super Rugby scored a much-needed win with the competition’s recent sold-out “super round”, the NRL claimed one which was just as impressive by selling out every home fixture last weekend.
There is a test of sorts coming up. This Friday night the Crusaders host the Blues in Christchurch’s One NZ Te Kaha Stadium in what is a classic Super Rugby rivalry mach.
Next month, on a Sunday afternoon, the Warriors host the North Queensland Cowboys at the same venue.
Both will be popular events but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say the Warriors will be the bigger hit in a city still abuzz about its world class facility.
Yes, the Warriors' novelty factor will apply – just as it did in Wellington recently. But call it a feeling or whatever, there is something about the Warriors, who play in the best league competition in the world (an important distinction), that is connecting with New Zealanders that rugby currently cannot match.
The day after I was transfixed by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s finishing ability (and lapses), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s toughness and Samuel Healey’s pace, I asked a few other sports writers what they watched – Blues or Warriors?
“Warriors,” the first replied. "It’s just habit now. Appointment viewing of the week."
"Warriors," another said. 'If it was a derby involving the Canes against one of the other NZ franchises at the same time I might have had pause for thought as I enjoy the way they play, but even then I’d probably still opt for Warriors."
He added: "Also, the NRL has come to own my late Sunday arvo/ evening... I know the broadcast imperatives around rugby and prime time slots but I’ve always wondered why they’ve just given Sundays to a rival code."
That’s true too of the long Easter weekend recently during which Super Rugby limply conceded defeat and scheduled three games while the NRL scheduled seven, including two on the Sunday and one on the Monday.
Another close professional acquaintance and die-hard union fan divulged that he watched the second half of the Blues match.
Expanding the reach of the poll, I asked three rugby coaches with whom I assist at an Auckland secondary school.
One said he was otherwise occupied so watched the Auckland FC playoff against Melbourne City – which went to penalties (which I watched on replay) - the Blues and Warriors on a live scoring app.
The other said: "Only watched the Warriors. Massive league guy, massive Warriors fan. I find I only watch union up until the league starts on a Friday regardless of who is playing. Not a lot of hype around the Blues and last couple of games I’ve watched have been kickathons."
He added that the Warriors hold an advantage with their social media presence and that his teenaged rugby-playing son "loves" the Warriors and has no interest in the Blues.
The third coach said he watched neither match but tracked the Warriors on his phone.
Is any of this really important? Yes and no. People can watch what they want. But it gets more serious when considering the bottom lines of those involved in a competition – Super Rugby – which struggles to sell out even playoff matches and it gets important when young talent see a more viable professional pathway at the NRL. This will increase if and when Moana Pasifika dissolve.
There is little doubt, either, that the Warriors possess the common touch. Their chief executive Cameron George even drinks with the punters and slags off visiting players, for heaven’s sake.
It was instructive, too, to hear World Rugby chief executive Dr Brett Robinson, a former Wallabies and Brumbies loose forward, launch a spirited defence of union during the super round in Christchurch recently.
The best thing about union, Robinson said, was its international presence.
He is right, but it was said after the news of Moana's imminent demise dominated the interview. Also, the three Australian teams taking part in the super round - the Waratahs, Brumbies and Reds - all lost to their Kiwi opposition.
A weekend later it all seems rather significant.
SHARE ME