OPINION: What's happened to the one-eyed, bleed red and black, rugby-supporting city I grew up in?
Two weeks in a row there have been far, far too many empty seats in Christchurch for Super Rugby playoff games against two premier opponents from the New Zealand conference.
I can understand last week against the Highlanders - those were extenuating circumstances. But last night against the Chiefs there was no howling wind, no sideways rain. So what's going on?
I asked on Twitter.
"Plastic fans with no passion. No excuses. People at home have zero right to call themselves proper fans. Plain & simple. Support your team!!"
Sorry mate, that's not the Canterbury I know.
"We're saving our money for tickets to the final, m8."
Now to be fair that is more like the Canterbury I know! But still, that's not it.
"730pm too cold. You could fill the stands at 230pm I reckon".
Ironically, I think we're getting warmer.
Then Richard nailed it.
"For me andrew i've been to the stadium 6/7 times, and each time it's been a rubbish experience. i love my rugby, but not there."
Bingo.
Christchurch is crying out for a multi-purpose sports facility worthy of showcasing the quality rugby the Crusaders have put on this season.
Canterbury and Crusaders rugby officials have been vocal about this for a long time. The need for a new stadium's been highlighted to the rest of the country in the last couple of weeks by the number of empty seats on our TV screens.
But within the city itself, a state of emergency in Christchurch meant it wouldn't have been appropriate timing for Hamish Riach to renew those calls.
Crusaders games attracted some decent crowds earlier in the season, which indicates the fans will turn up to and put up with the stopgap that is AMI Stadium - to a point.
What we've seen in the last couple of weeks is the tipping point for fans. When the weather's miserable and the stadium's worse, the fans decide to cheer their Crusaders from home. Last night's average attendance actually felt like a form of protest.
I hope that's the way it's been interpreted by those charged with getting the City back on its feet and moving it forward.
I have a strong sense that this is a case of build it, and they will come. They'll come for the rugby, and they'll keep coming back because they had a great experience at a modern, state-of-the-art facility.
The results of a pre-feasibility study into a new stadium are due shortly. A proud sporting city like Christchurch deserves action on this now.
Andrew Gourdie co-hosts Sunday Sport on RadioLIVE with Jim Kayes.
