'Virtual' crowd to boost Hawkes Bay NPC hopes

After months of asking for money, the Hawkes Bay Rugby Union has come up with one last scheme to prove it should be included in the new NPC premier division in 2006.

A "virtual filling" of McLean Park was launched on the Magpies' website yesterday by former Hawkes Bay player Jarrod Cunningham.

The aim is to fill the ground to its 16,000-person capacity via the internet, with people simply having to log on to magpies2006.co.nz to register their name and the names of their family as being in "attendance" at the ground.

Anna Lorck, from Attn Marketing PR, which is running the Magpies' 2006 campaign, said this final initiative would prove that the region was behind the bid.

She hopes the scheme may give the province a crucial advantage when the New Zealand Rugby Union decides the make-up of the premier division this month. "We need all of Hawkes Bay behind us," she said.

"You don't need to leave home, it won't cost you anything and it's as simple as logging on.

"The name of each person who logs in will be registered and we're asking Hawkes Bay people to email their friends and family and urge them to register their name as well."

For Cunningham, the greatest points-scorer in Hawkes Bay rugby history, being part of the scheme amounts to a provincial duty.

He said failure to do so would amount to letting 121 years of Magpie history disappear without a fight.

"It's crucial," he said. "The future of Hawkes Bay rugby is at stake - not just at the top level, but also at the clubs.

"I mean, how much history does this province have?

"We have to keep the game alive."

- NZPA