Interest high in regional pool stages
SURPRISING results in Cairns have added crucial legitimacy to the Rugby League World Cup pool stages according to CEO Andrew Hill.
The tournament’s chief watched Samoa and Scotland play out a 14-14 draw at Barlow Park on Saturday, a shock considering the Bravehearts went into the match as rank outsid- ers. Cairns also hosted one of the first upsets of the World Cup when Ireland beat Italy in the city’s first contest.
Hill said results such as those were a critical part of keeping fans’ interest in the pool stages, particularly those viewing the broadcast from 150 countries worldwide.
“I think the first doubleheader really showcased Cairns and their passion for the game,” Hill said. “I wasn’t here personally, but the broadcast reach, the profile of that game was pretty significant. While the crowd was a little down (on Saturday), the game was still great and I think the fact that it was so close will really hold people’s interest from the broadcast point of view.
“Yes, we would have liked a few more people, but those who were here I think witnessed a good game, a competitive game, they were obviously out here to support either Scotland or Samoa and I’m sure they enjoyed themselves and I think the game has presented itself quite well to those fans who were here.”
But overall, he was pleased with the way Cairns had engaged new fans, among the total of 13,525 who attended across the double-header and Saturday’s game, justifying organisers’ desire to take the game to the regions.
Hill conceded there had been blowouts in some contests, shocks such as those in Cairns showed anything could happen in an ideal precursor to the quarterfinals.
“You look at those four games, I don’t think there’s a bad game there,” he said.
“While some people might say: ‘Well I think that team will win’ it will be really entertaining, the game will be competitive, and that’s really what we need.”