Bumper crowd likely for challenge
‘‘We think we will get a huge crowd because the last time we won it we had a massive turnout and I know the boys love that support, it gets them home a lot of the time.’’ Geoff Hitchcock, TRU commercial manager.
If there was one person as happy as some of Taranaki’s delighted fans after they won the Ranfurly Shield on Friday night, then it was the union’s commercial manager.
Geoff Hitchcock was not hiding his excitement on Saturday morning when the team arrived at the New Plymouth airport given the commercial benefits it potentially brings.
The last time Taranaki held the Shield was between 2011 and 2012 when the crowds ranged from 12,000 to 18,000, well up on the average 5000 who have been attending so far this season.
‘‘It’s very good to win the Shield,’’ Hitchcock said.
Friday night’s win has also ensured what was likely to be an average crowd for the first challenge from Manawatu into something potentially significant for the union.
‘‘We think we will get a huge crowd because the last time we won it we had a massive turnout and I know the boys love that support, it gets them home a lot of the time,’’ Hitchcock added.
There are some significant similarities from when Taranaki won it off Southland and had to defend it just a few days later against Hawke’s Bay to the challenge now presenting itself from Manawatu, he said.
‘‘It was always going to be an important game at the end of the season but now it’s a massive game and the players should be running on adrenalin.
‘‘The fans, given it’s such a short turnaround, should still be on a high, too.’’
Taranaki now plan to have an open training run at Yarrow Stadium on Monday before Wednesday’s match at the same venue, which kicks off at 7.35pm.
If Taranaki can beat Manawatu the win, if it’s gained with a bonus point, would see Taranaki unable to be knocked off top spot in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership even before they meet North Harbour on Sunday.
That would guarantee them a home semifinal and potentially a home final, something they last achieved when they won the ITM Cup in 2014.
That match attracted a sell-out crowd, something that should keep Hitchcock smiling.
Taranaki’s fans will also be hoping they can hold the form they showed against Canterbury when they became the first challenger to score seven tries to lift the Shield and the first side to score more than 50 points to win the famous domestic prize.