Fans heed the call for support
Taranaki Bulls ruby fans have heeded the call to arms to support their team despite troublesome times with the team’s home ground.
The Bulls faced the first big test of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season defending the Ranfurly Shield at Yarrow Stadium against Manawatu¯ last night.
The crowd was confined to the northern and southern terraces because Yarrow Stadium’s east and west stands were both out of action after being deemed earthquake prone earlier this year.
The dilemma has cut the ground’s capacity by half, prompting the Taranaki Rugby Football Union to this week encourage fans to turn up and show their support for the home team not just for last night’s clash but for the rest of the season.
‘‘People may think it would be easier to stay home and watch our home games on TV but that behaviour will ultimately lessen the strength of Taranaki rugby going forward,’’ TRFU chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said earlier in the week.
His plea was answered with fans turning up in droves, rugged up in amber and black to ward off the icy winter’s night,
7.45pm kickoff.
Te Manu Katene was there early with his kids, Tanye, 10, and Keyarn, 11, and their mum Alethea Rowlands to enjoy the atmosphere and watch the first home game of the season in person.
‘‘I pretty much just enjoy seeing live rugby,’’ Te Manu said. well before the
The family have been season pass holders for four years and this year was no different.
Rowlands said she thought the TFRU might struggle to fill the stadium for all the games but the family didn’t mind not sitting in the stands.
‘‘We will always support Taranaki rugby,’’ she said.
They weren’t the only fans who had to get used to the new seating arrangements.
Despite having to move from his usual spot and the southern end of the ground where he’s waved his Taranaki Bulls flag for 100 matches, to the northern end, Mike Morresey said he wouldn’t have missed the game.
‘‘I’m there for my boys, I’m there for the coaches and I’m there for Taranaki,’’ Morresey said.
‘‘People need to get along and support the team because if we don’t we won’t get any games.’’
Rhyss Taylor was another diehard fan not deterred by the lack of covered seating.
‘‘It doesn’t bother me because I usually stand on the hill anyway,’’ Taylor said while heading to his spot at the northern end of the stadium.
He said you couldn’t beat the atmosphere at the ground on game day.
‘‘Live rugby is what I enjoy and the history behind the amber and black jersey.’’
‘‘People need to get along and support the team because if we don’t we won’t get any games.’’ Taranaki Bulls fan Mike Morresey