When it comes to matters sporting, it's not often I have sympathy for Canterbury's proud and vociferous fans.

And proud, they have every reason to be.

They have been the powerhouse in both premier rugby and cricket in this country for many a reason.

By powerhouse, I mean a dominant blend of performance, especially in rugby and an extraordinary provider of some world class athletes in our major winter and summer codes.

Think of Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw, Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming and Shane Bond and I know you're nodding in agreement.

So when it comes to red and black fans, I for one will usually admit to envy, never sympathy.

But wait. The raging nonsense that I've heard and read this week about ticket sales for this weekend's test at AMI Stadium proves that there is always an exception to any rule.

In short, there is every reason this week to extend some form of sympathy to Canterbury fans for the insulting slur and threat that Sheriff Steve Tew has been so quick to trot out when he's realised Christchurch's rugby public aren't as gullible as he would like.

THE ACCUSATION

Contrary to some woeful, watery denials he's made since, Steve Tew made this accusation earlier this week.

"There seems to be an issue in the Christchurch market with supporting rugby currently."

"We would like to see more people in Christchurch that are committed to the game, otherwise we are going to have to take a deep breath about future allocations for that city."

These words from Tew are clear and calculated. Denying the obvious insinuation as Tew did on air a couple of days later was meaningless.

THE FACTS

Steve Tew expects fans from Canterbury and nearby to quickly commit their cash to an All Black test against our weakest, international visitors this year.

Steve Tew expects these same fans to quickly commit their cash to a night game in June in cold, cold Christchurch where it's odds-on that the conditions will be hostile and freezing.

Steve Tew expects these same fans to quickly commit their cash to attending a game at a venue that has been undergoing endless upgrading and where the majority of current seating is in the giant West Stand, which the cold easterly wind hits the hardest.

And finally, Steve Tew expects the same fans to quickly commit their cash to watching a hotch-potch All Black outfit whose biggest stars, namely Canterbury's McCaw and Carter, are still missing.

THE CONCLUSION

What offends me and I assume, Canterbury's fans the most is that deep-down, Sheriff Tew must know that his threatening words amount to nothing more than bluff and bluster, given the cold hard facts of the matter.

Of course, the blurring of facts is something we've become used to from Tew.

For instance, he tried to have us believe that playing last year's test against the Wallabies in Hong Kong was about "spreading the game" as opposed to the obvious cash grab it was solely intended to be.

Come on Steve. Rather than cast aspersions on the savvy fans from red and black country in an attempt to bully them into parting with their cash, why not own up to the inescapable conclusion that this test was always going to prove a paltry draw-card.

Rugby tests played against weak opposition such as Italy on bleak, winter nights in June in Christchurch, where they're more used to quality Crusaders encounters throughout autumn have limited appeal.

I'd hate to watch you playing poker Mr Tew. Any attempt you'd make at bluffing would be so transparent I'm picking.

Please give me your thoughts on the matter.