But off the field, the union is having to think creatively about how to attract the fans back.
The crowds at Otago’s two home games this season have perhaps been among the smallest in the province’s history.
Just 1350 spectators were scanned in for Otago’s 27-25 upset win over Auckland on August 16, and 1642 watched Otago edge Bay of Plenty 31-26 in a tough encounter at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday.
Last season, the average attendance at an Otago NPC game was just 1900.
To put that into context, the Otago Nuggets had slightly bigger average crowds that year.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Kinley was very mindful of the trajectory of the crowd numbers.
"I think that the NPC sort of creeps up on us a little bit, and then before you know it, it’s started," Kinley said.
"And then coming out of the back end of the Olympics possibly doesn’t help a lot this year."
The win against Auckland was on a Friday night, which "in my experience, don’t tend to be that popular".
Sunday was wet, grey and not a particularly inspiring day. It could be hard to lure people out of their homes on day like that as well, he said.
That said, the union has budgeted on an average crowd of 2500, which includes members and commercial partner relationships.
The crowds have dipped below that, so the ORFU has cut the price for the next home game, which is against Canterbury on September 7.
The ORFU is offering a 50% discount on all tickets bought online to the next home NPC and FPC double-header.
The offer is valid until to noon on Saturday, and the ORFU is also running a "tradies day".
"We’re just trying something a little bit different," Kinley said.
"And it is just to encourage people, get in early, get your tickets and come along and support the teams."
The deal is a celebration as well. The Otago NPC and Otago Spirit FPC teams had wins on Sunday, the Otago Sassenachs winning the Tiny Hill trophy off the Cantabrians for the first time in 10 years, and the Otago Country premiers being victorious against Southland Country.
Kinley said the revenue from ticket sales was important but it was more like the "cream on top".
"NZR are a major funder into the community space, and we have trust funding and commercial sponsorship.
"So it’s an important part, but it’s not the major part of our funding."
Kinley said the ORFU had considered moving games from Forsyth Barr Stadium to a cheaper alternative but had opted against making that step so far.
"We discuss this quite a bit," Kinley said.
Forsyth Barr Stadium facilitated "good, fast-running, attacking, exciting rugby" and you could guarantee a dry track under the roof.
At somewhere like Tahuna Park, the spectacle could be compromised by poor weather and would not offer the fans a viewing experience as comfortable as Forsyth Barr Stadium.
