All Black chiefs bid to take Thomond’s sound of silence home

NEW ZEALAND rugby chiefs want to replicate the Thomond Park experience in their own stadia next year.

The All Blacks say the silence that greets the place-kicker in Thomond can be unnerving — especially for away players — but it’s something the Auckland Blues want in place for Super 14 fixtures at Eden Park and North Harbour Stadium.

Blues chief executive Andy Dalton said the magic of the Thomond crowd during last week’s clash with the All Blacks struck a chord with New Zealanders and portrayed Munster and Irish fans in a very positive light.

Former Auckland and All Black outhalf, Grant Fox, has also backed the initiative having experienced the atmosphere first-hand during last week’s hugely successful Munster v All Blacks Zurich Challenge.

Eden Park, which has been home to Munster’s former Blues, Doug Howlett, Rua Tipoki and Nick Williams, is expected to follow the lead of Munster fans and fall silent at kicking time rather than cheering and jeering kickers.

“The atmosphere at these stadiums is absolutely electric,” said Dalton of Thomond.

“Then, when the eerie hush falls across the ground, it just adds to the excitement and drama,” he said.

“We want our fans to be part of that experience. Whether it is for local matches or internationals, we’d like to call on New Zealanders to adopt the same approach.”

Fox who played 78 times for the All Blacks between 1984 and 1993, said the Thomond experience was unique.

“It’s quite an amazing experience. You feel the eyes of everybody in the stadium on you and to be honest, it’s a little unsettling. I never experienced anything like it,” Fox recalled.

Eden Park and the Blues will be working together to help drive this initiative in the 2009 Super 14 and to create awareness for rugby supporters at home games — including the two matches at North Harbour Stadium.

Auckland Blues’ first home match at Eden Park is against the Sharks on March 7.