Quite sad to see ITM Cup - Canterbury v Auckland

[DH]

This game would have been HUGE even up to 3-4 years ago....but now.....

In ITM CUp terms a good crowd turned up...16,000 apparently...but thats quite sad how this tournament has plummeted in the public's eyes.

Alot of people (mainly media) are talking it up. But I cannot see where they are coming from. It really is a 2nd tier tournament.

As for SBW....

cheers
DH

[Gwynn]

Yes it's a second tier competition, but I've seen some cracking games.  Taranaki v Northland in the opening round was brilliant, and Hawke's Bay v Canterbury was a cracker.  Counties have been playing some fantastic rugby against the big unions, and Southland is grinding out win after win.

I suspect it's a case of the smaller unions are really shining, but the big Super 14 bases are struggling without their stars.  So if you're from a regional union the competition is great as it seems like a much more level playing field, whereas if you're from one of the big five the whole thing is a step down from their rugby audience is used to.

Personally I love watching every single ITM Cup game that I can, but as I won't be getting FOXTEL until next year I'm relying on YouTube to supply me with highlights packages.