The government is expecting it will meet its forecast for a NZ$39 million loss from the Rugby World Cup as long as it sells a further 200,000 tickets worth NZ$30.5 million by the end of the tournament.
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully and Rugby World Cup 2011 chief operating officer Therese Walsh told media in Parliament today that the extra 200,000 tickets to be sold to meet the target should be snapped up mainly by Australians and New Zealanders, who typically made late decisions to purchase tickets.
The government set a target to make NZ$268.5 million worth of revenue from the tournament, with the full capacity of ticket sales going out by a further NZ$30 million if all matches were to be sell-outs.
Up until now, ticket sales were generally in the order of NZ$1 million every three or four days, meaning sales would have to be ramped up in the final few weeks before the tournament starts on September 9. Walsh said the "run-rate" for sales had begun to increase, and was confident the target would be met.
Rugby World Cup CEO Martin Snedden and McCully are both due in Australia this week in efforts to market the tournament to Trans-Tasman fans.
Many late sales to Australian fans, or expats living in Australia, would hinge on how well their respective teams fare during the tournament, Walsh said.
McCully said the government’s NZ$39 million loss would be mitigated by increased tax receipts and levels of business for New Zealand companies.
26 Comments
Back in the Cold War era, Romania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and others devoted half of their GNP to sport.
Every four years they used wheelbarrows to haul away their piles of gold medals.
Where did that "investment" get them?
Multinational companies don't set up shop in your economy because some of your citizens are good at sports.
Especially a marginal and minority sport such as rugby, taken seriously by only a handful of nations (none of them rich and influential).
The RWC joins the list of monstrously expensive national masturbation fests (Olympics, Commonwealth Games, America's Cup, etc) that could only ever lose money for most, while making the well-connected even wealthier.
All that government money spent but still no real replacement for Richie McCaw in the squad announced this afternoon.
Here's the squad:
2011 All Blacks who have missed selection include wings Hosea Gear, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Ben Smith, loose forward Liam Messam, prop Wyatt Crockett and lock Jarrad Hoeata. Henry said they would be included in a pool of back–up players to cover for any injuries during the tournament.
Forwards:
Hookers
Corey Flynn Canterbury (14)
Andrew Hore Taranaki (54)
Keven Mealamu Auckland (85)
Props
John Afoa Auckland (33)
Ben Franks Tasman (11)
Owen Franks Canterbury (23)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (75)
Locks
Anthony Boric North Harbour (20)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (51)
Samuel Whitelock Canterbury (17)
Ali Williams Auckland (65)
Loose forwards
Jerome Kaino Auckland (41)
Richie McCaw (capt) Canterbury (97)
Kieran Read Canterbury (31)
Adam Thomson Otago (21)
Victor Vito Wellington (7)
Backs:
Halfbacks
Jimmy Cowan Southland (47)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (20)
Piri Weepu Wellington (48)
First five–eighths
Daniel Carter Canterbury (82)
Colin Slade Canterbury (5)
Midfielders
Richard Kahui Waikato (12)
Ma’a Nonu Wellington (58)
Conrad Smith Wellington (48)
Sonny Bill Williams Canterbury (7)
Outside backs
Israel Dagg Hawke’s Bay (7)
Zac Guildford Hawke’s Bay (6)
Cory Jane Wellington (24)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (97)
Isaia Toeava Auckland (31)
But where else can all NZ's vast number of closet-dwellers get their fix of rugby-themed homoerotica? Think of all those super buff young guys in tight little shorts sticking their heads between each other's legs, or writhing around with each other in the mud..... The RWC is every gay's wetdream come true.
I dont want to be cynical but does the NZ Rugby Board not know there is a recession ?
Tickets at $160 a pop , thats equivalent to nearly two days wages for a youngster earning the minimum wage after tax .
Consider the opportunity cost of NZ$160 : a weeks groceries forr a famility of four , two tanks of petrol, etc, etc, all they get is 90 minutes entertainement. A bit pricey if you ask me .
Now for an Australian , thats about Aus$123 , less than 1 days wage after tax .
Little wonder Kiwis are choosing to watch the games on a the big screen in a pub or at home .
Damn right Boatman, we are going to open our Rugby clubs up..go down have a few beers watch the rugby on the big screen ...waste of money paying some of those prices...although us Cantabs miss out anyway..but I can take the kids to a NPC match for $5 for a live game..and I would rather feed my money back into our local club ....rather than the IRB
What a load of whingers. Enjoy the rugger, bugger the cost and have a few gummy lollies. $39M is chicken feed in the scheme of things. If this still grinds with you blame Helen 'pissed off to USA' Clark for getting us this event.
BTW, go the All Blacks, or do all the Labour voters here hope the ABs fails o it will derail Nationals election chances........
No , not enough whingers in my opinion ... would like to see Sitivini Sitivani & Joe Rockococococo in the team ... nevertheless , a good balance to the squad .
Was Brendan Leonard injured , how else do they keep picking Andy Ellis ?
Pity they can't snaffle Nick Evans from Europe , as Dan Carter's back up .
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