Atmosphere at the Aviva

ulster_Beef

Hello folks

This issue started during the Ire vs Arg game post and I was advised by a mod to create this, thus keeping it away from the game.

I cannot recall the last time the Aviva had a good atmosphere, if ever. Yes not every game will have a good atmosphere but we need to make the Aviva like a cauldron, like the Millennium Stadium with explosions and fireworks haha. Look at it this way, how many times have Ireland won at the Aviva? Less than 50%? When has the crowd been vocal? Never. The 2 do go hand in hand.

I think a lot is to do with the stadium itself. I myself would have preferred a larger stadium with cheaper seats, rather than smaller with dear seats ended up with people refusing to go to games. For such an important game today there was hundreds of empty seats. We all know the dart was the issue but they could have built a terrace and crammed more of us in

All rugby stadiums should have a family section with no drink, terraces for die hards and normal seating. The games should also start at 7 so those drinking have time to get blocked. These 2pm KOs are not for me haha.

What are your views people?

molloyjh

ulster_Beef wrote: »

Hello folks

This issue started during the Ire vs Arg game post and I was advised by a mod to create this, thus keeping it away from the game.

I cannot recall the last time the Aviva ever had a good atmosphere, if ever. Yes not every game will have a good atmosphere but we need to make the Aviva like a cauldron, like the Millennium Stadium with explosions and fireworks haha. Look at it this way, how many times have Ireland won at the Aviva? Less than 50%? When has the crowd been focal? Never. The 2 do go hand in hand.

I think a lot is to do with the stadium itself. I myself would have preferred a larger stadium with cheaper seats, rather than smaller with dear seats ended up with people refusing to go to games. For such an important game today there was hundreds of empty seats. We all know the dart was the issue but they could have built a terrace and crammed more of us in

All rugby stadiums should have a family section with no drink and terraces for die hards and normal seating.

What are your views people?

England game in 2011 6 Nations was good. It's poor generally beyond that. I just don't think Irish fans in general are that into making noise. I'd obviously rather we did, but that's just the way it is.

Glass Prison 1214

If we can start to consistently reproduce today's performance, the atmosphere will get better. Thats my view anyway.

jamiedav2011

As i said in the other thread:

It's not the stadium that's the problem, it's the team, fans and opposition.
Big games obviously lead to big atmospheres.

Leinster games in the Aviva generally have far better atmosphere than Ireland games, but that's mainly because of the quality of rugby and opposition, and the meaningful nature of the games.

Later games also tend to have better atmosphere, for obvious reasons.

thomond2006

Leinster vs Clermont will be a cracking atmosphere, the level of opposition and the fear of losing is a big factor IMO.

TheGoldenAges

It's down to the type of fans that go, your average supporter can't afford €70 to go to every match, madness and makes it costly for die-hard fans and families etc...

Bluefoam

I think the current trend is to remove terraces from stadiums as they are dangerous from a crowd control point of view.

As for family sections... I couldn't imagine a worse idea. In general there is a very positive atmosphere at games in Ireland i wouldn't want to exclude famlies from that.

Also, I wish people would stop calling Lansdown Rd 'The Aviva'... its the oldest rugby ground in the world and should be refered to in a respectful manner.

CatFromHue

I'm fairly sure the tickets to games in Croker were more expensive than for the Aviva.

ulster_Beef

TheGoldenAges wrote: »

It's down to the type of fans that go, your average supporter can't afford €70 to go to every match, madness and makes it costly for die-hard fans and families etc...

This is the part the stadium plays. As I said, Id have preferred a larger stadium. Just think how much hundreds of 1000s we are losing due to a tiny stadium. For example. If we built a 80,000 (I wish) and charged 40 euros a ticket = 3.2m a game. Currently, based on the above we are losing 1.2m a game!!!!!!! That money could have went into the clubs but na... that makes too much sense.

Anyway, not getting away from the atmosphere issue.

People have been contradicting themselves. We are saying the Irish are not a very focal crowd and then the next person says the provinces are. We are still the same people club or country, why can we not transfer this to the big stage?

ulster_Beef

CatFromHue wrote: »

I'm fairly sure the tickets to games in Croker were more expensive than for the Aviva.

Probably to do with the need to pay GAA the rent money and still make a profit for IRFU I think anyway

thebaz

maybe if we renamed it Landowne Road, rather than a foreign owned insurance company , the fans could relate more

ulster_Beef

Bluefoam wrote: »

I think the current trend is to remove terraces from stadiums as they are dangerous from a crowd control point of view.

As for family sections... I couldn't imagine a worse idea. In general there is a very positive atmosphere at games in Ireland i wouldn't want to exclude famlies from that.

Also, I wish people would stop calling Lansdown Rd 'The Aviva'... its the oldest rugby ground in the world and should be refered to in a respectful manner.

I dont mean shut the families out. I meant for there to be a section, within the crowd where no drink is allowed. Such an area can still be in the heart of the crowd.

As for terracing. Overcrowding is a big issue but there is no difference standing there than there is when 50,000 people try and cram their way down a few stair cases. In fact, the later is probably more dangerous but unlikely for anything to happen. I suspect the football regulations had a big part there. I love the terraces...

Bluefoam

ulster_Beef wrote: »

I dont mean shut the families out. I meant for there to be a section, within the crowd where no drink is allowed. Such an area can still be in the heart of the crowd.

That is exactly the point I was disagreeing with

cormacjones

I think you mean vocal, not "focal".

its_phil

ulster_Beef wrote: »

Hello folks

This issue started during the Ire vs Arg game post and I was advised by a mod to create this, thus keeping it away from the game.

I cannot recall the last time the Aviva had a good atmosphere, if ever. Yes not every game will have a good atmosphere but we need to make the Aviva like a cauldron, like the Millennium Stadium with explosions and fireworks haha. Look at it this way, how many times have Ireland won at the Aviva? Less than 50%? When has the crowd been focal? Never. The 2 do go hand in hand.

I think a lot is to do with the stadium itself. I myself would have preferred a larger stadium with cheaper seats, rather than smaller with dear seats ended up with people refusing to go to games. For such an important game today there was hundreds of empty seats. We all know the dart was the issue but they could have built a terrace and crammed more of us in

All rugby stadiums should have a family section with no drink, terraces for die hards and normal seating. The games should also start at 7 so those drinking have time to get blocked. These 2pm KOs are not for me haha.

What are your views people?

I've worked at every game in the Aviva since the football team played against Russia in 2010.

The best atmosphere in the stadium I have experienced is without a doubt the Ulster vs Edinburgh game. I think that tells you everything about a good atmosphere. You don't need a sell out crowd, you need a good reason to get behind the team.

Some might say that today was a big enough reason for their to be atmosphere with the rankings, but 2PM games are usually always ****e atmospheres it doesn't matter where it is and Ireland haven't exactly inspired hope in their fans of recent times.

The stadium isn't the problem because their have been some cracking atmospheres like the ROI v Armenia, ROI v Bosnia, Ireland v England (2011 6N) and Wales last year was pretty good. Leinster games usually have a good buzz too.

ArmaniJeanss

No real evidence that a larger stadium and cheaper tickets would have led to a bigger crowd today - plenty of tickets going for next to nothing this morning and not exactly a big take-up.

Ultimately today was a 'friendly' with little at stake other than the overhyped second pot / third pot thing, in addition it was against non glamourous opposition.
Theres a core dedicated audience for this type of game, they were there today.

Leinster v Clermont has something massively tangible at stake, qualification for the next phase of the tournament so the atmosphere will be so much better.

Swan Curry

Obviously Kidney's tactics putting people to sleep is partly to blame,but the dedication of many fans has to be questioned.There's too many people going because of the "upper class" attitude they think going to watch a rugby match is part of.It's astonishing how many people leave before the match is even over.The one time I had a seat in the Upper Stand beside the stairs I couldn't see the match for the last few minutes due to the line of people leaving early.

I understand that to spread the game's popularity,these type of fans are needed,but you wish someone would tell them to at least cheer,instead of talk about work or something equally mind-numbing.

TheGoldenAges

The "Murrayfield" type involvement of the announcer doesn't help, in fact it makes me cringe..

Benny Cake

Are people as passionate about the national side as they are when it comes to the provinces? This, I feel, is the reason behind the lack of atmosphere..

ArmaniJeanss

Benny Cake wrote: »

Are people as passionate about the national side as they are when it comes to the provinces? This, I feel, is the reason behind the lack of atmosphere..

The provinces have contests to be passionate about.
6 HCup games where nerves are a jangle, where even when you lose you are desperately searching for a bonus point and even when you win you find yourself hunting a fourth try in the last 5 minutes whilst keeping an eye on denying the opposition getting within 7.
Then if lucky enough a quarter final, semi final and final.

By contrast a lot of what the international team play is relatively meaningless, except for the 25/33% of the time that you get a good run in the 6N that takes you to the last few games with a chance of winning it.

ulster_Beef

Swan Curry wrote: »

Obviously Kidney's tactics putting people to sleep is partly to blame,but the dedication of many fans has to be questioned.There's too many people going because of the "upper class" attitude they think going to watch a rugby match is part of.It's astonishing how many people leave before the match is even over.The one time I had a seat in the Upper Stand beside the stairs I couldn't see the match for the last few minutes due to the line of people leaving early.

I understand that to spread the game's popularity,these type of fans are needed,but you wish someone would tell them to at least cheer,instead of talk about work or something equally mind-numbing.

Yea, I hate that myself. There will always be someone who has to rush off but not thousands I always stay til the end and later.

The only time I rushed away from a game, although I did stay to the final whistle was the Ulster vs Edinburgh game... I still managed to miss my train. It was missed accidentally on purpose haha. I had relations over from Canada staying over, they arrived that day. Lets just say the morning after meeting the relatives was interesting. 1 too many glasses

Heroditas

The reasons for lack of atmosphere are:
Early kick offs
Poor team performances
More families

The biggie for me is the poor performances. The atmosphere will be great for the England and France games because the travelling fans will be out in force and everyone will be out to enjoy themselves.
Also, the steep prices will mean less kids. Sorry but more kids tends to lead to a poorer atmosphere at Ireland games in my opinion.
There's just too many "big games" nowadays. In two weeks time we have the resumption of the HEC and Leinster will be playing Clermont in a do or die match. Nearly every second game is hyped up and people eventually just get bored of it.

Finally, I wish they'd get rid of that knob of an announcer. They got rid of him in the RDS but he destroys the atmosphere in LR.
Fireworks + OVERLY ENTHUSIATSIC ANNOUNCER + Dropkick Murphys does not equate to a good atmosphere, maybe a contrived atmosphere but not a good one.

tolosenc

The huge cheers that ROG got coming off the bench both today and against SA indicate that the majority of people who attend these games have little more than a passing interest in the sport.

duckysauce

tolosenc wrote: »

The huge cheers that ROG got coming off the bench both today and against SA indicate that the majority of people who attend these games have little more than a passing interest in the sport.

were they not cheering Sexton going off ?

Fireball07

I dunno... whatever you think of ROG, and whether he should be playing for Ireland (he shouldn't), I would always give him a pretty big cheer, particularly in a game that is over like that, because he is a legend.

One of the greatest players ever to play for Ireland, and that's always worthy of a cheer, I think.

tolosenc

duckysauce wrote: »

were they not cheering Sexton going off ?

Came on for D'arcy against SA, and there were two cheers, one after Sexton's name, and a much louder one after ROG's.

Fireball07

Although, saying that, I do agree with the general point.


The atmosphere there today was very poor and a lot of that is down to fans who mighn't be "hardcore" (for lack of a better word). But the trouble is a lot of those can't afford to go... I mean I really couldn't afford to travel all the way up and down to Dublin and buy match tickets atm. I suppose I shouldn't really complain about the atmosphere if I'm not contributing to it though

slowburner

Landsdowne road might well be a difficult place to get a bit of old fashioned craic, and a rollicking good atmosphere.

Yes, it has no soul.
Yes, people are herded clinically, and that makes unselfconscious support difficult.

But what's the point in giving out about it?

thomond2006

When I was at the Racing v Munster match last month, the PA was on the pitch before kickoff and was very vocal. He started a big "Racing...Racing...Racing" chant and really got the crowd going. Plus this was a very sparse crowd in a big stadium (20,000 or so in Stade de France) so normally the atmosphere would filter out but thanks to the PA and the music they used the place was buzzing before the teams came out. This was despite the horrendous weather conditions.

I don't know, maybe the French are more up for making noise than us conservative Irish...

As a previous poster said, it really is the Heineken Cup that has the best atmosphere. Every home game is literally a knockout game. The best few minutes of a rugby match I was at was definitely the 40+ phases that led to the drop goal, it wasn't the noise just the sheer ****ing nervousness and fear of losing throughout the ground!

yohan the great

thebaz wrote: »

maybe if we renamed it Landowne Road, rather than a foreign owned insurance company , the fans could relate more

I fairness I don't think fans can relate to a stadium named after a British Prime Minister either

.ak

Game's I've gone to in the Aviva with an outstanding, rocking atmosphere:

• Leinster v Clermont 2010
• Leinster v Leicester 2011
• Leinster v Toulouse 2011
• Ireland v England 2011
• Leinster v Bath 2011

Games I've gone to in the Aviva with an atmosphere similar to mars.

• Ireland v France (warm ups) 2011
• Ireland v England (warm ups) 2011
• ...every Ireland game since.

There's a trend here. The Ireland games are generally a dour affair, and the support just doesn't get behind them. I know today was a different event, but I wonder if over the last year or two has the national team begun to mean less to the fans who're used to seeing the drama unfold on the European stage for their provinces.

Fireball07

.ak wrote: »

Game's I've gone to in the Aviva with an outstanding, rocking atmosphere:

• Leinster v Clermont 2010
• Leinster v Leicester 2011
• Leinster v Toulouse 2011
• Ireland v England 2011
• Leinster v Bath 2011

Games I've gone to in the Aviva with an atmosphere similar to mars.

• Ireland v France (warm ups) 2011
• Ireland v England (warm ups) 2011
• ...every Ireland game since.

There's a trend here. The Ireland games are generally a dour affair, and the support just doesn't get behind them. I know today was a different event, but I wonder if over the last year or two has the national team begun to mean less to the fans who're used to seeing the drama unfold on the European stage for their provinces.

I dunno...Munster, for one, have been used to European success (relatively) and excellent atmospheres since at least 2000, and Ireland games were a lot more vibrant than they are now, even when we didn't do that well. Of course, we did have a lot of success under EOS but it wasn't for all of that period.

I'm not sure what the true source of the problem... obviously performances play a big part, but you'd have expected them to be a bit more lively today when we were playing very good rugby and running in tries.

.ak

Is it the customer base? I remember it used to be impossible to get tickets for the 6n.. only through your club/grassroots rugby if you were lucky. Now adays you can generally source them easily.

EDIT: Just to be clear; I think any and all types and levels of fans should be getting into the national games, as it'll help feed the sport in the long term. However I'm wondering if a lot of the fans are 'new' to the game, and don't understand what it means to be the 16th man.

slowburner

Nail + head

irishbucsfan

The atmosphere in LR was fantastic so i dont accept its completely down to the people that are there.

ulster_Beef

.ak wrote: »

Game's I've gone to in the Aviva with an outstanding, rocking atmosphere:

• Leinster v Clermont 2010
• Leinster v Leicester 2011
• Leinster v Toulouse 2011
• Ireland v England 2011
• Leinster v Bath 2011

Games I've gone to in the Aviva with an atmosphere similar to mars.

• Ireland v France (warm ups) 2011
• Ireland v England (warm ups) 2011
• ...every Ireland game since.

There's a trend here. The Ireland games are generally a dour affair, and the support just doesn't get behind them. I know today was a different event, but I wonder if over the last year or two has the national team begun to mean less to the fans who're used to seeing the drama unfold on the European stage for their provinces.

I for one would tend to agree with the above. I have a friend who is a huge rugby fan and a wealth of knowledge. He said to me Ulster means more to him than Ireland now due to this dismal run of games. Not just by Kidney but by EOS... He slowly lost faith. Whereas before he was the opposite.

As for opposites... whats the craic with the Welsh? You get about 1000 people at their home games (clubs) yet the Millennium stadium is full :S

I was last there for the South Africa game. I was on one of the top tiers fully decked out with the face paint on and wigs. SA fans wanting pics etc.... it was all good fun. But ......a number of times I heard 2 fellas behind me mumble sit down (aimed at me) whenever I edged up off the seat if we were attacking. I wasnt the only one who heard it either. Prior to that I was there for the Ulster SF which Im sure youve heard was a passionate affair

Something should be done about it surely. Having poor attendances has a knock on effect for everything!!! Those who do not think this is a big enough issue should think again...

OldRio

The Wales v NZ game looked a sell out, but plenty of empty seats at their other games.

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The atmosphere in LR was fantastic so i dont accept its completely down to the people that are there.

Likewise I don't accept it's down to a new stadium build.

This season we won't probably be discussing this anyhow, as the fixture list is Leinster v Clermont (a pivotal game, not just a big one), Ireland v France and Ireland v England which are always big games atmosphere wise.

JustinDee

It's down to performance in-field, context of game and the people in seats.

The shape, granite, perspex and steel fittings have little or nothing to do with the atmosphere at the Aviva. Nor it's name, which yields a substantial amount of money towards the game in Ireland.

Down to the team and the punter.

carlop

It's been touched on in the thread already, but international rugby is the ultimate sport in Ireland when it comes to attracting event-junkies. My sister, for example, will do everything in her power to make it to a big Ireland game, but I'd wager good money she wouldn't know the difference between a flanker and a 2nd row.

Obviously everyone has an equal right to attend a game, but the event-junkie type of supporter is not going to generate as much of an atmosphere as they don't have as much of a genuine passion for the game.

Random example from another sport. Go to Madrid and watch a Real Madrid game in the huge Bernabeu stadium where some of the best players in the world are on display. Then go 20 minutes down the road to watch Rayo Vallecano play in something that resembles the old Thomond. Guess which one has the better atmosphere...

ulster_Beef

carlop wrote: »

It's been touched on in the thread already, but international rugby is the ultimate sport in Ireland when it comes to attracting event-junkies. My sister, for example, will do everything in her power to make it to a big Ireland game, but I'd wager good money she wouldn't know the difference between a flanker and a 2nd row.

Obviously everyone has an equal right to attend a game, but the event-junkie type of supporter is not going to generate as much of an atmosphere as they don't have as much of a genuine passion for the game.

Random example from another sport. Go to Madrid and watch a Real Madrid game in the huge Bernabeu stadium where some of the best players in the world are on display. Then go 20 minutes down the road to watch Rayo Vallecano play in something that resembles the old Thomond. Guess which one has the better atmosphere...

That is a very valid point. That happens with most sports.

However, my post was more aimed towards; why is it heading this way? The past load of games have been grim.

carlop

ulster_Beef wrote: »

That is a very valid point. That happens with most sports.

However, my post was more aimed towards; why is it heading this way? The past load of games have been grim.

Kick-offs have been fairly early, haven't they? For fairly obvious reasons the later a match is, the more 'animated' a crowd will be

Grimebox

Bluefoam wrote: »

I think the current trend is to remove terraces from stadiums as they are dangerous from a crowd control point of view.

As for family sections... I couldn't imagine a worse idea. In general there is a very positive atmosphere at games in Ireland i wouldn't want to exclude famlies from that.

Also, I wish people would stop calling Lansdown Rd 'The Aviva'... its the oldest rugby ground in the world and should be refered to in a respectful manner.

thebaz wrote: »

maybe if we renamed it Landowne Road, rather than a foreign owned insurance company , the fans could relate more

If they rebuilt my house, I would gladly call it the Aviva. You're just going to have to accept the name. The stadium wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the sponsorship.

Swan Curry wrote: »

Obviously Kidney's tactics putting people to sleep is partly to blame,but the dedication of many fans has to be questioned.There's too many people going because of the "upper class" attitude they think going to watch a rugby match is part of.It's astonishing how many people leave before the match is even over.The one time I had a seat in the Upper Stand beside the stairs I couldn't see the match for the last few minutes due to the line of people leaving early.

I understand that to spread the game's popularity,these type of fans are needed,but you wish someone would tell them to at least cheer,instead of talk about work or something equally mind-numbing.

Die hard Leinster and Ireland fan here and I'm the problem with atmosphere it seems. I just don't like cheering unless I've had 6 pints in me. I've paid for the privilege to be there so I'll do whatever I like. If I want to catch up with my friend beside me, so be it. If you want to roar at the top of lungs, you're more than welcome. A 2pm start with a hangover on top of that means I'll be watching the rugby quietly.


For me, context of the game is the biggest difference in atmosphere. People are claiming this Ireland V Argentina game was a hugely important game. No it wasn't. We're still going to have to beat the teams in the RWC regardless. Those will be the hugely important matches. Every game in the upcoming 6 nations is even a bigger deal to me. I don't think the teams performance will make a huge difference. I mean, Ireland were running tries in for fun for 60 mins yesterday and people have claimed it was a like morgue.

Almaviva

JustinDee wrote: »

It's down to performance in-field, context of game and the people in seats.

The shape, granite, perspex and steel fittings have little or nothing to do with the atmosphere at the Aviva. Nor it's name, which yields a substantial amount of money towards the game in Ireland.

Down to the team and the punter.

Is about it.

Whats the fascination with 'atmosphere' anyway? Go to watch the rugby. Raucous noise made from thousands of people is hardly entertainment, or a pretty low grade one appealing to a simple mob. If there's little of excitement happening on the pitch, then there is little cause for any noise from the stands - inane chanting , poor singing, clapping for no reason etc seems particularly brainless. As for it 'lifting' a team ? Really. These guys are professionals. They dont need people external to the game yelling to remind them to try to win the game (though players do plamas the crowd on this point - but they know its the bums on the seats that pay them).

Fireball07

Almaviva wrote: »

Is about it.

Whats the fascination with 'atmosphere' anyway? Go to watch the rugby. Raucous noise made from thousands of people is hardly entertainment, or a pretty low grade one appealing to a simple mob. If there's little of excitement happening on the pitch, then there is little cause for any noise from the stands - inane chanting , poor singing, clapping for no reason etc seems particularly brainless. As for it 'lifting' a team ? Really. These guys are professionals. They shouldnt need people external to the game yelling to remind them to try to win the game.

You don't want the match to have a similar atmosphere to a funeral...the players are professionals but they will still feed off the atmosphere, all sportspeople do.

jamiedav2011

Would definitely agree that atmosphere can play a huge part in any game.
I mean if that wasn't the case, why is it so difficult to win away from home in most sports.
Places like Thomond of old, Stade Marcel Michelin, Leicester, Toulouse, Biarritz etc create atmospheres that are worthy of a head start to the home side imo.

The crowd feeds off the energy of the players, and definitely vice versa.

Players aren't emotionless robots!

.ak

You often hear about previous big games where players say they fed off the raucous atmosphere.

If I wanted a quiet place to watch the game I'd go to the pub or stay at home. Part of the reason I go to games is to feel the atmosphere, the tribalism, the us vs them mentality, the chants... all enhances the game. It's something you'll remember coming back from a game, the hair on the back of your neck still on end. Any of the travelling support that made it to the Leinster v Clermont in Bordeaux will know what I'm on about. It's something you hope you'll find at every game (although understandably you don't)

thomond2006

Almaviva wrote: »

Whats the fascination with 'atmosphere' anyway? Go to watch the rugby. Raucous noise made from thousands of people is hardly entertainment, or a pretty low grade one appealing to a simple mob. If there's little of excitement happening on the pitch, then there is little cause for any noise from the stands - inane chanting , poor singing, clapping for no reason etc seems particularly brainless. As for it 'lifting' a team ? Really. These guys are professionals. They dont need people external to the game yelling to remind them to try to win the game (though players do plamas the crowd on this point - but they know its the bums on the seats that pay them).

I couldn't disagree more. Atmosphere is a key part of the matchday experience, I love to go to matches to be immersed within that atmosphere. I don't understand people who are unwilling to engage with it. I honestly question why they decided to come! That probably comes across as a high horse remark but I genuinely believe this.

At Leinster vs Munster last year, I tried to be 'raucous'. Many people turned to me with looks like "WTF is this guy doing?!" as they were discussing what bar they were going to after the match or how their kids were doing, utterly oblivious to what was happening on the field. Now the rugby was absolutely woeful, but I was stunned as to the lack of interest of people who paid to see it! I don't expect everyone there to be a diehard or loud, but jesus a bit of enthusaism wouldn't go amiss.

Grimebox

Almaviva wrote: »

Is about it.

Whats the fascination with 'atmosphere' anyway? Go to watch the rugby. Raucous noise made from thousands of people is hardly entertainment, or a pretty low grade one appealing to a simple mob. If there's little of excitement happening on the pitch, then there is little cause for any noise from the stands - inane chanting , poor singing, clapping for no reason etc seems particularly brainless. As for it 'lifting' a team ? Really. These guys are professionals. They dont need people external to the game yelling to remind them to try to win the game (though players do plamas the crowd on this point - but they know its the bums on the seats that pay them).

Home/Away advantage proves all this wrong. While I think professionals should be able to come over such things, its not the case in reality

Almaviva

Grimebox wrote: »

Home/Away advantage proves all this wrong.

Certainly does not.
You are making a false link that BiggerLouderSupport=Home. Home advantage certainly exists in sport. But 'Home' is determined by a lot more than than how loud the local crowd is. And quite possibly not at all related to how vocal or 'supportive' the home crowd make themselves.

Fireball07

Almaviva wrote: »

Certainly does not.
You are making a false link that BiggerLouderSupport=Home. Home advantage certainly exists in sport. But 'Home' is determined by a lot more than than how loud the local crowd is. And quite possibly not at all related to how vocal or 'supportive' the home crowd make themselves.

It's not the only factor...but it can play a big part.

Numerous opposition players have said in the past that they have found atmosphere in Thomond Park intimidating, it's the same in the likes of Stade Marcel Michelin, Welford Road, etc. You make it a hostile environment for the opposition, while getting behind your own team, and they do thrive on it.