Brumbies hoping Super Rugby crowds return

Thursday, 14 February 2019:

Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson is confident crowds will improve for the club's Super Rugby home fixtures following a season of poor turnouts.

Support for the ACT team reached a crisis point last year as management took the drastic step of warning members the franchise could fold if crowds continue to decline.

Friday night's season-opening clash with Melbourne at GIO Stadium will be a good indicator if fans have taken notice of that advice.

The corresponding match against the Rebels last year was the second-lowest crowd (5283) for a Brumbies home game.

As the Brumbies missed the finals for the first time since 2012, their average crowd (8391) dipped to its lowest level since 1996.

But Thomson says ticket sales for the Australian showdown with the Rebels would likely top 10,000.

The Brumbies cracked the five-figure mark just once last year when 13,515 people turned up for an Easter Saturday clash with arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs.

"We've put in a really big effort, both on and off the field, over the last couple of months to make sure people are aware of the Brumbies in the community," Thomson told reporters on Thursday.

"We're trying to tell our story and what we're looking to achieve so hopefully that will convert into people getting out to the game."

Thomson is hoping that beginning the season in Canberra for the first time in three years would help turnaround the slump in support.

"People like to come and support a winning side, winning the two trials is a positive start, but our plan was always to make the most our first month at home," he said.

The Brumbies recorded back-to-back profits for the first time in a decade last year despite the concerning drop in attendances.






AAP