Christchurch will celebrate its new stadium in style when Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round heads across the Tasman next year.
All 10 games in round 11 will be played at the NZ city’s One New Stadium at Te Kaha from April 24–26 in what should be the stadium’s first major event.
A feature of the new 25,000-seat stadium is its fixed roof, and it is centrally located in the city.
The opening game on Friday, April 24, will feature hosts and defending champions the Crusaders.
The next day, a formal Anzac Day rivalry will begin when capital city sides Wellington (Hurricanes) face the ACT (Brumbies) and Auckland (Blues) take on Queensland (Reds).
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley says the new venue “is a fantastic way to showcase the best of our competition”.
“We’re excited to work with the city and Crusaders to deliver something unforgettable,” he says.
Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge says the weekend will celebrate more than just rugby: “it’s a celebration of One NZ Stadium coming to life”.
“I’m stoked that the new stadium is going to host rugby, concerts and community events but there’s no better way to kick it off than recognise the DNA of this region and start with Super Round,” he says.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says hosting Super Round at Te Kaha “will be a major milestone” in the comeback story of our city.
The previous stadium at Lancaster Park was rendered unusable in the deadly 2011 Christchurch earthquake which killed 185 people.
Melbourne had hosted three Super Rounds before the Rebels were cut from the competition and the concept binned last year.
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Queensland’s BESIX Watpac says the project is its first in New Zealand and its workforce was 90% local.
In May, Te Kaha Project CEO David Kennedy said it was a “mammoth effort to get the project to this point”.
“Lead contractor BESIX Watpac and all our subcontractors pulled out all the stops; we’re in a great position to … deliver it on budget and on time,” he said.
BESIX Watpac Chief Executive Officer Mark Baker said strong collaboration with city council was central to the project’s success.
“This is our first project in New Zealand and we’re thrilled with the progress. It has been an opportunity to bring our stadium expertise to the country.”
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