Editorial: Butcher Boys deserve support

You have to feel sorry for Wanganui rugby.

It's not that they have done anything wrong, for thus far this year, the players and administrators appear to have done everything right.

Just weeks ago there was the seamless hosting arrangement with the USA Eagles rugby team that, from the outside at least, appeared to run very smoothly.

On top of that, the players have been steaming along very nicely in this year's Heartland rugby competition.

But it can't be easy trying to instill a sense of fervour towards the game at grassroots level when all the attention, and eyes, are directed towards the game's showpiece and the hopes and dreams that hinge on the All Blacks, and perhaps more specifically, Dan Carter's groin. So much has the attention of the rugby-following public been overtaken by the tsunami of the Rugby World Cup that a paltry 1200 people turned up to watch the Butcher Boys battle to secure a home final at Cooks Gardens last week.

It may be that rugby, or interest in it, really is a game of two halves - those who care only for the big time, and those who follow the game at a local level regardless of other distractions.

It's not as though winning is a rarity. The Wanganui team has a solid past, Meads Cup finalists in each of the past five years and champions in 2008 and 2009.

Maybe that's the problem: The overabundance of success has raised expectations to the point where it is anticipated Wanganui will be in the final so support isn't needed as desperately as if they were underdogs.

Coach Jason Caskey has built a team which, in the experienced eyes of sports editor Mark Dawson, plays thrilling rugby.

Never mind that the world's media weren't in attendance and the players aren't earning oodles of cash for turning out for the province.

Last weekend's semifinal was a tense, entertaining affair. Which makes it all the more compelling to get behind our team and head along to Cooks Gardens this Saturday.

It's good enough for greats like Colin Meads and BG Williams, and that's all the more reason to head along and show our support to Steelie Koro and his team.

Go the Butcher Boys!