Fans come out to play

I'M NOT SURE where they've been all season but a bunch of people wearing blue and screaming for the Taniwha turned up at Toll Stadium on Wednesday night.

Isn't it much more fun doing it on the terraces, than by yourself in front of the television?

The Taniwha himself kept a low profile, but one young fan assured me he was there.

On the terrace side of the ground, a redhead in a Cambridge-blue jersey holding a handwritten sign saying something like, ``Go the Taniwha'', got a rapturous response every time she paraded the sign in front of the fans.

Frankly, some of the earlier spectator turnouts have been disgraceful, given the quality of the stadium and facilities, and the quality of the rugby.

On Wednesday, perhaps it was the fact it was probably Jared Payne's last game for Northland, or that it was the last game of the season. The 6pm kick-off also went down well with fans, for some reason.

I should be honest, too _ I have criticised Northland fans for turning up late, but I was Johnny-come-lately on Wednesday after some particularly poor planning on my part.

So I missed the first try. I also missed the last try, due to the need to exit the carpark before being locked in for 20 minutes after the game.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot _ a note for the Northland Rugby Union ... the staff in the bar on the terraces would probably appreciate a window in the side of their makeshift  hut so they can see the action. Given the bar blocks a portion of the field from fans, supporters would probably appreciate it too.

Certainly, the rabid fan who asked me to move because he hadn't paid to come and stare at my back would have appreciated it.

There have been some observations about the new media centre blocking the view of supporters as well. It's a fine centre, and will be packed to the gunnels for the World Cup.

My suggestion to people who complain about it blocking the view is simple _ sit somewhere else. There's plenty of room, unless it's the last game of the year, of course.