A new $400 million stadium that was a symbol of Christchurch’s struggle to rebuild after a deadly earthquake struck the New Zealand city will host its first match Friday in front of a sellout rugby crowd.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake killed 185 people in February 2011 and toppled or damaged buildings, including the city’s old Lancaster Park.
The stadium, which hosted international rugby and cricket and was home to rugby team the Canterbury Crusaders, was badly damaged and never reopened.
It was bulldozed in 2019 and turned into sports fields, leaving the Crusaders without a permanent home.
Government funding for a new stadium was finally approved in 2020, and Super Rugby side the Crusaders will run out at the NZ$683 million (US$404 million) Te Kaha stadium on Friday.
The 30,000-capacity state-of-the-art arena is one of the last projects to finish following the devastation 15 years ago.
“It’s real beautiful and a great representation of our region,” All Blacks and Crusaders back Leicester Fainga’anuku said.
“This place has become the heart of the city and it’s something our people deserve.
“From the moment we heard about the new build and what it means to us and our people, it gets you excited.
“Now it’s finally here, we’re just ready to get into it and put on a good show.”
Coach Rob Penney, whose side face the NSW Waratahs to open the stadium, said it had been “a long wait”.
Taha Kemara, who will start at fly-half for the Crusaders, added: “It’s something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time and something the city’s been waiting for.”
Canterbury found a temporary home after the earthquake at Rugby League Park, where the team won eight Super Rugby titles in nine years.
The ground was a fortress for the Crusaders, partly because of the freezing conditions that could greet unsuspecting away teams.
Under a roof at Te Kaha the conditions will be milder, but Penney hopes the fans keep the atmosphere hostile.
Fainga’anuku, who usually plays at wing or centre, will switch to flanker for the game and Penney said it was something the All Black had wanted to try for some time.
“This stadium felt like the right place to do it,” Penney said.
“He loves big environments, loves pressure moments, and we feel he’ll add real value against this opposition.”
The Crusaders are also bolstered by the return of All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, while David Havili is back in the starting side at centre.
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