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'NZ's Tri-Nations form a World Cup boost'
The All Blacks' blend of raw power, pace and skill has not only won over fans, the media and opposition coaches, but has also been warmly welcomed by organisers of next year's rugby World Cup.
"One thing that is really helpful is the way the All Blacks have been playing ... As well as being thrilling for them and the New Zealand rugby public, (it) has been a huge fillip for us," the tournament's chief organiser Martin Snedden told Reuters in a recent interview.
"The population seems to be falling back in love with rugby, so that has created a nice feel.
"The other part of that is ... if other teams copy them on field (it) will lead to a much more entertaining series of matches than the last World Cup when aerial ping pong was the nature of the game for a while."
Undefeated in five matches in the Tri-Nations this year, New Zealand have not only sewn up the southern hemisphere tournament with a game to spare, but also installed themselves as runaway favourites to win the World Cup on home soil.
SELL-OUT
The attractive product they have showcased this year has already been felt in ticket sales for rugby's global showcase.
Snedden said the first phase of sales to specific venues and to follow specific teams which ended in May had shown the expected support for the All Blacks, though the five pool matches at Eden Park had also been impressive.
"The most expensive tickets in phase one were the Eden Park pool matches and they almost sold out, so that's a good sign," Snedden, a former test cricketer, added.
"You don't have to be a genius to know that All Blacks' matches in World Cups will sell out. We knew the All Blacks' team packs would sell really well (and) we had to cap those.
"But there has also been very good take up for the quarterfinals, including the games in Wellington which we know won't feature the All Blacks."
The tournament itself is projected to make a loss of about NZ$40 million, which will be met by the government and the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Under the hosting agreement with the IRB, tournament organisers are only able to keep revenue generated from the sale of tickets.
An estimated 400 000 tickets to individual matches will go on sale in the second phase on Sept. 10, the day after organisers celebrate the one-year countdown.
Snedden said he hoped the public would be able to watch other teams emulate the All Blacks' entertaining style of rugby.
"It'll be interesting to see if some of the teams will have a crack," he said.
"The Wallabies (Australia) will, that suits their style. The Springboks (South Africa) showed they're prepared to chance their arm. France will.
"But I just have a feeling the quality of the on-field stuff is going into a good phase for rugby and it's great timing for us.
"I think if people feel they really like the product then they will be buying tickets."
The All Blacks conclude the Tri-Nations tournament on September 11 against Australia in Sydney.
