Rugby: Hurricanes' crowd woes

Ahead of the start of the Super 14, the Hurricanes are battling a drop in season memberships of over 50 per cent in the past decade.

CEO Greg Peters says the 7,000 who have signed up for this year is equal to last season, and ends an annual 15 per cent drop over the past three years.

Peters says in the first year at Westpac Stadium they had 16,000 members, so having less than half that number represents a huge hit to their income. He is hoping they can arrest the slide in crowd numbers this season.

Peters says they are budgeting for a small surplus for the Hurricanes season and a break-even scenario for the Wellington provincial campaign.

The Hurricanes kick off the season against the Blues at North Harbour Stadium tonight.

- NEWSTALK ZB