Brett Robinson hails new 'iconic venue' in one of rugby's proudest strongholds

The city of Christchurch is back on the rugby map as a premier destination, 15 years after the devastating earthquake that rendered its last fortress, Lancaster Park, unfit for use.

The Canterbury region has long been a hotbed of rugby talent and development, with the Crusaders boasting some of the sport’s most iconic figures among their alumni and producing some of the most successful coaches the game has seen.

The club have won 14 titles in the 30-year history of Super Rugby, including eight at the temporary Apollo Projects Stadium, which served the team from 2012 until the recent round 8 win over the Fijian Drua. Whilst the venue was the scene of much success for the Crusaders and Canterbury, it hosted just five All Blacks games, leaving New Zealand’s second-largest city short on chances to cheer on the country’s favourite team. That dry spell is now officially over.

On Friday night, Super Round kicked off with the Crusaders hosting the Waratahs in the first event to take place in the brand-new $683 million One New Zealand Stadium in central Christchurch. It’s a milestone that has been a long time coming for the city, and opening night was celebrated by fans both local and across the broader rugby community. Four more games will follow over the weekend, with 10 of the 11 Super Rugby teams competing over three days of action.

World Rugby chair Brett Robinson was in town to add his congratulations to the festivities, and took a moment to reflect on the many experiences and relationships Christchurch had provided him throughout his career in rugby.

“As a former Brumby and Wallaby, this part of the earth plays a significant role in the history of my own experience, but also in terms of its contribution to the game globally,” Robinson told media at the Super Rugby live site, where thousands of fans gathered throughout the day.

“It’s such a moment of celebration that 15 years on, we can be here to celebrate rugby being played in an iconic venue, during an iconic weekend, and its in respect of this great country, in respect of this great rugby community in Christchurch, and it’s certainly in respect of the great friendships and relationships that have existed for all of us coming here to Christchurch; particularly between the Brumbies and the Crusaders, the special relationships that we have today, and from years past.”

Game one of the weekend saw the home team claim a 35-20 win over the Waratahs, with Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham telling Sky Sport after the match that he barely recognised the city on game day, as it had been transformed by the sheer volume of fans filtering into the new venue from the surrounding central city. The three-time All Black described the matchday experience as being “like a different planet” compared to the rebuilding city he moved to four years ago.

Codie Taylor, who has now played 150 games for the Crusaders, added to that sentiment.

“It was emotional coming in here, to be honest. What the city’s been through — our bus ride through the city, we came through the area that got smoked by the earthquake, and to see that all built again, and then to come here, and to see this built for the city, it’s pretty cool. New beginnings,” Taylor told former All Blacks teammate Lima Sopoaga.

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney and captain David Havili joined reporters for the post-match press conference, with Penney saying “it was just wonderful to see the glowing light as we approached, knowing we were coming to a new venue”, while Havili struggled to find the words to describe what the stadium opening meant to him, his club, and the region they represent.

“It was amazing. I’m genuinely lost for words,” Havili said. “As the bus was coming in, to see our people, our city, just vibing and so vibrant, and then to come into the stadium is just amazing… It was actually quite emotional.

“Running out was pretty special. With what this city’s been through, to have something like this now is amazing. The team behind the Crusaders and the staff who have got us to this point have been special, as has everyone throughout the community who has helped get this going. So, thank you.”