Rugby: Weather dogs Otago rugby

Atrocious weather has been a major factor in leaving the Otago Rugby Football Union almost $200,000 below budget for the national championship campaign.

The union had budgeted on a crowd aggregate of 37,000 for the first four NPC games at Carisbrook.

But the actual aggregate has been 24,800, made up of Waikato (7500), Wellington (4500), Counties (6100) and Northland (6700).

"The weather has had an enormous effect on gate revenue," the union's business manager, Neville Frost, said yesterday.

"Everything that could have gone wrong weather-wise has gone wrong and we're under budget by almost $200,000. We're concerned about it but we have to look at the situation long-term. We're already planning for next year."

Otago have just one more round-robin match at Carisbrook, against Southland on Saturday week, and only a slim chance of hosting a semifinal and final.

Next year Otago will have home games against glamour sides Canterbury and Auckland in the NPC and the Highlanders will also host the Crusaders and Blues in the Super 12.

The Highlanders franchise made a small profit from the Super 12 matches at Carisbrook, Frost said.

"We were actually slightly ahead of budget, but the exact figures still have to be ratified by the board."

Carisbrook was the venue for five Super 12 matches this year and it is likely to have the same number next year.

- NZPA