The feel-good factor from a successful Rugby World Cup has been translated into increased match attendances and television viewers for Super Rugby in New Zealand, governing body SANZAR says.
Figures released on showed a cumulative figure of 9,916,300 New Zealanders watched 100 games on television in the first 15 rounds.
Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters says the improved figures, up by 32 per cent on the previous year, had been the follow-on from the World Cup Sanzar had been hoping for.
"The Legacy Programme implemented by the New Zealand Rugby Union was designed to capture the effects of hosting the third largest sporting event in the world, and as a consequence New Zealanders are watching the game in record numbers."
New Zealand stadiums have been averaging a total of 16,842 in 32 home matches over the first 15 weeks of Super Rugby.
Last year, with two fewer matches played over the same time, stadiums were averaging 12,217 per match.
Stadium attendances in Australia and South Africa are down slightly on last year. Television viewing figures have dipped in Australia, but South African numbers have risen.
NZN