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.