BBC SPORT -Edwards backs Six Nations revamp

[An Tarbh]

because playing a test match takes the same physical toll on the players as a heavyweight boxing match. For the Six Nations that's 5 test matches in 7 weeks, it would be insane to ask them to add to that. You'd swear that there's a deliberate attempt by teams not to entertain and score tries by the tone of some of your comments, which I find baffling to say the least. We had 3 quality games this weekend outside of the bonus points system, I wasn't bored and certainly would have had a problem paying â'¬75 for a ticket. What is this obsession with entertainment, it's sport, it's about winning not entertaining.

 

[RC]

It's about winning a trophy, not giving points to losers. [/b]

Bingo. No more need be said, that's exactly the point of the 6Nations.

 

[polonius]

because playing a test match takes the same physical toll on the players as a heavyweight boxing match. For the Six Nations that's 5 test matches in 7 weeks, it would be insane to ask them to add to that. You'd swear that there's a deliberate attempt by teams not to entertain and score tries by the tone of some of your comments, which I find baffling to say the least. We had 3 quality games this weekend outside of the bonus points system, I wasn't bored and certainly would have had a problem paying â'¬75 for a ticket. What is this obsession with entertainment, it's sport, it's about winning not entertaining.
[/b]

In an age of professional sport it's about selling a product. Croke Park was 8,000 short of a full house. At 75 Euro a ticket that's 600,000 Euro of lost revenue.

 

[An Tarbh]

Croke Park was not 8000 short of a sellout because the Hill and Nally were seated reducing the capacity to 75000.

 

[stormmaster1]

Croke Park was not 8000 short of a sellout because the Hill and Nally were seated reducing the capacity to 75000. [/b]

even if we decide that more open rugby is more entertaining and should be encouraged i don't think bonus points will make a blind bit of difference. Teams will want to win. Bonus points would be a nice extra. As i said before it's not like bonus points turned the premiership into a free-scoring spectacle of open rugby.

 

[polonius]

Croke Park was not 8000 short of a sellout because the Hill and Nally were seated reducing the capacity to 75000.
[/b]

Ah ... thank you for explaining this. It was a cause of comment amongst us when the attendance was announced. Was there a reason why those areas were reduced in capacity?

 

[An Tarbh]

I'm not sure to be honest, there was no reason for the seating to be in place because when Ireland played Brazil in the football 3 weeks ago there was no need for the ground to be all seater as it wasn't an official qualifier.