Will Jordan says new stadium has Crusaders rivals 'licking their lips'

For a decade now, barring 2024, the road to Super Rugby glory has taken title hopefuls through the harsh Christchurch winter. In 2026, a new roofed stadium promises to take the frosty sting out of that prospect, and some opponents are hopeful the Crusaders’ winning edge could suffer.

Addington’s temporary Apollo Projects Stadium will host three more games over the opening 10 rounds of the 2026 season before One New Zealand Stadium opens its doors to host Super Round, from which point on the Crusaders will call the new arena home.

The stopgap stadium had its drawbacks, but its exposure to the elements and bare, scaffolded construction, which rattled under the heavy stamps of fans in high-pressure match moments, also created a unique environment for Crusaders home games.

When looking ahead to the soon-to-be-completed stadium’s opening, Crusaders star Will Jordan this week revealed some of the discussions he has had in the All Blacks camp throughout the Test season, and how some of the Crusaders’ biggest rivals are equally as excited about its opening as the home club.

Traditional, slow winter rugby has been the Crusaders’ calling card at the business end of Super Rugby seasons whilst at Apollo Projects Stadium, but game-drivers and tacticians sense opportunity with a dry track and a Crusaders team who could be removed from their comfort zone.

“It’s really exciting for us, first and foremost,” Jordan told Millsy and Guy on Sport Nation. “I went to the gym across the road from the stadium today, and it’s pretty cool seeing it up and close to completion.

“We’re stoked for our people and the fans of Christchurch who have had to grind through some pretty cold games out at Addington, and we really appreciate that. We’re excited for them to get something shiny and new and enjoy everything that comes with that.

“For us, in terms of our style, I guess as a back, you take it personally that people think we can’t play an expansive game. I look at some of the names we’ve got in the backline next year: (Noah) Hotham, (David) Havili, (Braydon) Ennor, Leicester (Fainga’anuku), Sevu (Reece), and myself. We’d like to think that we can play an expansive game. And I think we’ve shown that in the past; it was only a few years ago when Leicester, Sevu and I were all top of the try-scoring charts together as a back three.

“I think we certainly can play that style. In the past, we’ve gone to our strengths around set piece and a kicking game when needed. That’ll still be a part of it, but as a back, it’s an exciting opportunity to try and shred a few teams apart.

“I know from talking to guys on the end-of-year tour, guys are licking their lips, your Damian McKenzie’s, your Jordie Barrett’s, etc. are excited to come down to Christchurch and play in dry conditions, so bring it on.”