Officials have rung the bell on cowbells at Christchurch and banned them ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs this Saturday.
The cowbell is a staple of Waikato rugby, but Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge confirmed on social media that the noisemakers had been banned from the venue - citing safety concerns.
D'Arcy Waldegrave spoke to Colin on Sportstalk about how he can possibly justify this, and then got Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis on to respond.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk z'b Big.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Hello now to Colin Mansbring, CEO of the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Colin, how are you, Darcy? Mate?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Probably better than you. How much grief are you getting
by saying no cow bells at the stadium? You're going
to get thrashed.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
I have had a few suggestions of where some cow
bells could go in my and on my anatomy, so yeah,
plenty of suggestions about how they could be used against
me or on me. So yeah, it's been. It's been
a lot of fun, a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
This is not your call, this is well or to
play he stadiums christ Church is where this has come.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
From, or I'll tell you how it started, mate, it was.
It was actually Simon the Stirr from from Hamilton.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Simon the rapis the CEO. You're calling him a stair
in our r.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
So he started bantering away about cow bells and so
I jestfully suggested we should ban them, and then of
course it got legs, and then we started to get
people talking about what they were going to do with them.
So I said, oh, let's have a think about this.
And then there are some issues for the venue. You
(01:21):
know what it's like, it's three point fifty mili seat
centers versus significantly broader seats in the likes of Eden
Park or FMNG. And so we ended up in this
situation where we did think people waving around cow bells
and we were stopped using flags when we were up
there a couple of years ago. So we thought, look, actually,
(01:44):
let's just not have cowbells in the stadium. And of
course it's our home game. It's not theirs, so happy
for them to cheer for their fans their fans and
cheer for their team, but it's yeah, it's our home game.
So we just thought we'd have a bit of Sweet
Caroline and a few other things and they can leave
the cowbells at the game.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
So the whole stadium with the no musical instrument that's
still vaguely applies to leaning on that a week bit Colin.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Or no, No, that's look, that's probably more I think
that somebody looked at the terms and conditions and saw
that as one of them. It's a crusader's decision. We're
not going to say we're not going to blame it
on anyone else. We've got that far with us now,
it's almost there's no way out. So it's a Crusader's decision.
It's a Colin means Bridge decision, all.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Right, So you're taking it on board. So you are
going to get a wee bit a greet. What can
people do instead? How else can they show their fandom
because you can't really bring an arigami cow bell? Can
you not?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
But you can if you've seen these if you've seen
this meme stuff that's going on, they've got these things
where they can. They can bring on an app and
it's got a cow bell on the app on your phone.
And I've already had people show me the app and
saying I'm going to bring this in and they're going
to yell and scream and yeah, I don't think there's
going to be any problems with Chief fans getting across
(03:00):
their support for their team. That won't be an issue
at all. But it won't be a Chief home game.
It's a Crusaders game. That's got to be clear.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
True.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
How many Chief supporters are coming down? Do you know, Colin?
Because those tickets sold about I don't know in New York.
Minute didn't they.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
So how many a down they did, I'm not quite
sure of the exact number, but it was interesting. We
went on public sale and they were gone very very quickly.
We didn't What we should have done is probably geo
block for Chief fans so that we could have had
a completely crusader a fight. But yeah, we weren't able
(03:36):
to do that. So unfortunately we've got We've got plenty
of Chief support in there.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Yes, spoiling for a fight, aren't you, Colin. I think
you're getting right into the spirit of this. This is
not very straight laced boardroom behavior. You having a right jab,
aren't you? This is good?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
I think. Well. The good thing is Clayton and his group,
Rob and his group, they're not too distracted by this stuff.
But boys had a lot of fun. You know, they're
in us sort of what it's all about. You know,
you get to this stage of the season. We've had
plenty of banter throughout the year. I am enjoying it.
(04:14):
I am a bit nervous somebody is gonna embed one
of these things in my head somewhere, so but that aside,
I'm definitely enjoying the banter and the fun.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
What else do we need to know about the final
I was told yesterday by Jack Nessli that there's a
chance there might be some late release tickets out are
the lot seventeen thousand? Is that a possibility? Is he
just floating ideas to wind people up, like what you're doing?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
No? No, no, So what happens is we release two
members and sponsors and partners, and then if they don't
take up their full allocation, you know, somebody might be
on annual leave or something of that nature, then then
they come back into the pot on Wednesday night, So
Thursday morning at nine ish we will do a limited
(05:02):
public release. So at the moment every single seat is allocated,
but there is potential for a limited, a very small
amount to come back in on Sursday morning at nine o'clock.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
There he is sen what did we can say? Red
blue corner, red and black corner and then in the yellow,
black and red corner doesn't make as much sense in
one corner. Colin Mansbridge, the Chief Executive Officer of the Crusaders,
are now ready to claim the canvas and the squared circle.
We are joined by Simon Garfis. He is the CEO
(05:37):
of the Chiefs Gooday Simon I'm good. How about yourself,
I see that a bit of shade's been thrown your
way by Colin Mansbridge, just then suggesting that you're a
bit of a stirr there on the tron. What do
you have to say about that?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Yeah, there's something about a pot calling the kettle black.
I think it's probably Yeah, Colin's probably throwing the bent around.
Although yeah, we have the odd odd drive at each other,
so yeah, I may have may have contributed to the situation.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Well, you guys good. So you're always calling each other
out and tagging each other in on your LinkedIn accounts,
so it's not like your enemies.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Well, this weekend we're absolutely yeah, but the thing come
and for talent and on the park we are. But
we do actually all work pretty closely together outside of that.
But no, no, this weekend it's all on.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Well, it started off as a bit of banter, as
he said, but he said, look, actually this is not
OL Today stadiums. This is not their call, even though
they might better lean on that with some of their
fine print. He goes, this is a Crusaders call, This
is a column Mansbridge call. This is our home final
and we don't want the cowbells. Is that a bit strong?
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Yeah, I think so. Look, I think I mean, I'll
be lucky to attend a lot of a lot of
sport around the world and around New Zealand, and I
think a lot of our stadiums are a bit quiet.
And you know, you go to Wales and they sing,
or England or Italy for football and you just see
the see the fandom and the environment. And so I
(07:05):
think we probably a normally here in Chiefs country where
our fans bring a bit of attitude and fandom and
tribalism and cow bells make some noise. So yeah, I
just think we've probably got under the skinner. But that's awesome,
it's great.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
So that the home advantage you don't think should possibly
apply in this case. Is that a bit of a
stretch from Colin Ah.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Well, I think the problem is is he's probably fired
the fans up even more. And yeah, our fans, I think,
with or without the cow bells will make their presence felt.
So yeah, we'll see what happens. I mean, one of
my staff members last night actually went and created a
virtual cow bell and got a website, and so if
(07:52):
anyone wants to get on and have a look at
Cowbell dot co, dot m Z. They can there's a
virtual cowbell that they can use on their phone, which
probably won't be confiscated, So there's probably going to be
every attendee with that at the stadium rather than natural,
proper calbell.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Interesting stuff. Simon Grafis joins us is CEO of the Chiefs.
There was also it was definitely tongue in cheek, but
you like the elbow to the ribs talking about the
possibility of GEO blocking Chiefs fans so they couldn't buy tickets.
Obviously that can't happen. But how many Chiefs fans are
actually down there? Simon? You know how many people got
(08:27):
their hands on tickets?
Speaker 4 (08:29):
I no, but by the way flights disappeared after the
game and pregame, I think there might be a decent number. No,
we're not quite sure, but I think they'll come out
of the woodwork, and you like to say, I think
they'll make the feeling their feelings none down there, which
would be great.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And I'll expect that this is possibly, it's not confirmed,
possibly the last time the Crusaders will play at Apollo
Projects lean to what a way to leave if you
guys run off for the title, it's going to give
you that extra edge because it should have been your
home game, but as it transpired, it's theirs. This has
got an extra grist of the mill, doesn't it, Simon?
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Well, yeah, I think any any game between us and
the Crusaders, it has a bit of an edge. But
a final yeah, it goes up a level. It'd be
nice to knock over the sort of record that they've
got there, you know, and if anyone's going to do it,
you know, it'd be good if we could. And this
weekend's as good a time as idiot reckon.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
And last thing, Simon, and again thanks very much for
joining us. You'd be in a corporate box, I presume.
Can they stop you bringing a cow bell in?
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Colin's probably called me out. I'd hate to admit to
taking anything, but it'd be interesting to see how many
do get smuggled. And actually, yeah, we'll wait and see
what happens on the night.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I think no one's going to frisk you, Simon. You're
the boss man. You can roll in, surely just disguise
it as I don't know.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Yeah, yeah, well I think you could probably I'm not
sure if they're going to take jewelry, So what get
me ears? Tears to the occasion or something and hang
a couple of them.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
For more from sports Talk, let's and live to news
Talks It Be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk z'b Big.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Hello now to Colin Mansbring, CEO of the Crusaders.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Colin, how are you, Darcy? Mate?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Probably better than you. How much grief are you getting
by saying no cow bells at the stadium? You're going
to get thrashed.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
I have had a few suggestions of where some cow
bells could go in my and on my anatomy, so yeah,
plenty of suggestions about how they could be used against
me or on me. So yeah, it's been. It's been
a lot of fun, a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
This is not your call, this is well or to
play he stadiums christ Church is where this has come.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
From, or I'll tell you how it started, mate, it was.
It was actually Simon the Stirr from from Hamilton.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Simon the rapis the CEO. You're calling him a stair
in our r.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
So he started bantering away about cow bells and so
I jestfully suggested we should ban them, and then of
course it got legs, and then we started to get
people talking about what they were going to do with them.
So I said, oh, let's have a think about this.
And then there are some issues for the venue. You
(01:21):
know what it's like, it's three point fifty mili seat
centers versus significantly broader seats in the likes of Eden
Park or FMNG. And so we ended up in this
situation where we did think people waving around cow bells
and we were stopped using flags when we were up
there a couple of years ago. So we thought, look, actually,
(01:44):
let's just not have cowbells in the stadium. And of
course it's our home game. It's not theirs, so happy
for them to cheer for their fans their fans and
cheer for their team, but it's yeah, it's our home game.
So we just thought we'd have a bit of Sweet
Caroline and a few other things and they can leave
the cowbells at the game.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
So the whole stadium with the no musical instrument that's
still vaguely applies to leaning on that a week bit Colin.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Or no, No, that's look, that's probably more I think
that somebody looked at the terms and conditions and saw
that as one of them. It's a crusader's decision. We're
not going to say we're not going to blame it
on anyone else. We've got that far with us now,
it's almost there's no way out. So it's a Crusader's decision.
It's a Colin means Bridge decision, all.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Right, So you're taking it on board. So you are
going to get a wee bit a greet. What can
people do instead? How else can they show their fandom
because you can't really bring an arigami cow bell? Can
you not?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
But you can if you've seen these if you've seen
this meme stuff that's going on, they've got these things
where they can. They can bring on an app and
it's got a cow bell on the app on your phone.
And I've already had people show me the app and
saying I'm going to bring this in and they're going
to yell and scream and yeah, I don't think there's
going to be any problems with Chief fans getting across
(03:00):
their support for their team. That won't be an issue
at all. But it won't be a Chief home game.
It's a Crusaders game. That's got to be clear.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
True.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
How many Chief supporters are coming down? Do you know, Colin?
Because those tickets sold about I don't know in New York.
Minute didn't they.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
So how many a down they did, I'm not quite
sure of the exact number, but it was interesting. We
went on public sale and they were gone very very quickly.
We didn't What we should have done is probably geo
block for Chief fans so that we could have had
a completely crusader a fight. But yeah, we weren't able
(03:36):
to do that. So unfortunately we've got We've got plenty
of Chief support in there.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Yes, spoiling for a fight, aren't you, Colin. I think
you're getting right into the spirit of this. This is
not very straight laced boardroom behavior. You having a right jab,
aren't you? This is good?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
I think. Well. The good thing is Clayton and his group,
Rob and his group, they're not too distracted by this stuff.
But boys had a lot of fun. You know, they're
in us sort of what it's all about. You know,
you get to this stage of the season. We've had
plenty of banter throughout the year. I am enjoying it.
(04:14):
I am a bit nervous somebody is gonna embed one
of these things in my head somewhere, so but that aside,
I'm definitely enjoying the banter and the fun.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
What else do we need to know about the final
I was told yesterday by Jack Nessli that there's a
chance there might be some late release tickets out are
the lot seventeen thousand? Is that a possibility? Is he
just floating ideas to wind people up, like what you're doing?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
No? No, no, So what happens is we release two
members and sponsors and partners, and then if they don't
take up their full allocation, you know, somebody might be
on annual leave or something of that nature, then then
they come back into the pot on Wednesday night, So
Thursday morning at nine ish we will do a limited
(05:02):
public release. So at the moment every single seat is allocated,
but there is potential for a limited, a very small
amount to come back in on Sursday morning at nine o'clock.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
There he is sen what did we can say? Red
blue corner, red and black corner and then in the yellow,
black and red corner doesn't make as much sense in
one corner. Colin Mansbridge, the Chief Executive Officer of the Crusaders,
are now ready to claim the canvas and the squared circle.
We are joined by Simon Garfis. He is the CEO
(05:37):
of the Chiefs Gooday Simon I'm good. How about yourself,
I see that a bit of shade's been thrown your
way by Colin Mansbridge, just then suggesting that you're a
bit of a stirr there on the tron. What do
you have to say about that?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Yeah, there's something about a pot calling the kettle black.
I think it's probably Yeah, Colin's probably throwing the bent around.
Although yeah, we have the odd odd drive at each other,
so yeah, I may have may have contributed to the situation.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Well, you guys good. So you're always calling each other
out and tagging each other in on your LinkedIn accounts,
so it's not like your enemies.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Well, this weekend we're absolutely yeah, but the thing come
and for talent and on the park we are. But
we do actually all work pretty closely together outside of that.
But no, no, this weekend it's all on.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Well, it started off as a bit of banter, as
he said, but he said, look, actually this is not
OL Today stadiums. This is not their call, even though
they might better lean on that with some of their
fine print. He goes, this is a Crusaders call, This
is a column Mansbridge call. This is our home final
and we don't want the cowbells. Is that a bit strong?
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Yeah, I think so. Look, I think I mean, I'll
be lucky to attend a lot of a lot of
sport around the world and around New Zealand, and I
think a lot of our stadiums are a bit quiet.
And you know, you go to Wales and they sing,
or England or Italy for football and you just see
the see the fandom and the environment. And so I
(07:05):
think we probably a normally here in Chiefs country where
our fans bring a bit of attitude and fandom and
tribalism and cow bells make some noise. So yeah, I
just think we've probably got under the skinner. But that's awesome,
it's great.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
So that the home advantage you don't think should possibly
apply in this case. Is that a bit of a
stretch from Colin Ah.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Well, I think the problem is is he's probably fired
the fans up even more. And yeah, our fans, I think,
with or without the cow bells will make their presence felt.
So yeah, we'll see what happens. I mean, one of
my staff members last night actually went and created a
virtual cow bell and got a website, and so if
(07:52):
anyone wants to get on and have a look at
Cowbell dot co, dot m Z. They can there's a
virtual cowbell that they can use on their phone, which
probably won't be confiscated, So there's probably going to be
every attendee with that at the stadium rather than natural,
proper calbell.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Interesting stuff. Simon Grafis joins us is CEO of the Chiefs.
There was also it was definitely tongue in cheek, but
you like the elbow to the ribs talking about the
possibility of GEO blocking Chiefs fans so they couldn't buy tickets.
Obviously that can't happen. But how many Chiefs fans are
actually down there? Simon? You know how many people got
(08:27):
their hands on tickets?
Speaker 4 (08:29):
I no, but by the way flights disappeared after the
game and pregame, I think there might be a decent number. No,
we're not quite sure, but I think they'll come out
of the woodwork, and you like to say, I think
they'll make the feeling their feelings none down there, which
would be great.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And I'll expect that this is possibly, it's not confirmed,
possibly the last time the Crusaders will play at Apollo
Projects lean to what a way to leave if you
guys run off for the title, it's going to give
you that extra edge because it should have been your
home game, but as it transpired, it's theirs. This has
got an extra grist of the mill, doesn't it, Simon?
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Well, yeah, I think any any game between us and
the Crusaders, it has a bit of an edge. But
a final yeah, it goes up a level. It'd be
nice to knock over the sort of record that they've
got there, you know, and if anyone's going to do it,
you know, it'd be good if we could. And this
weekend's as good a time as idiot reckon.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
And last thing, Simon, and again thanks very much for
joining us. You'd be in a corporate box, I presume.
Can they stop you bringing a cow bell in?
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Colin's probably called me out. I'd hate to admit to
taking anything, but it'd be interesting to see how many
do get smuggled. And actually, yeah, we'll wait and see
what happens on the night.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
I think no one's going to frisk you, Simon. You're
the boss man. You can roll in, surely just disguise
it as I don't know.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Yeah, yeah, well I think you could probably I'm not
sure if they're going to take jewelry, So what get
me ears? Tears to the occasion or something and hang
a couple of them.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
For more from sports Talk, let's and live to news
Talks It Be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
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