The Crusaders are pushing to host next year’s Super Round following the success of the Super Rugby Pacific extravaganza at Christchurch’s new stadium.
The prospect of a three-year deal to host Super Round is also on the cards, with Super Rugby Pacific Chief Executive Jack Mesley enthusiastic about the idea at a press conference following the Chiefs’ win over the Fijian Drua in the final match on Sunday night.
However, other franchises are also keen to host the next round, which involves five matches being played at the same venue over three days, with Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph already suggesting Dunedin as the venue for next year.
Mesley says there are other interested parties, but the Crusaders and the city supported its return.
Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge is pushing hard for a repeat following the success of ANZAC weekend.
ChristchurchNZ Chief Executive, Ali Adams, who was also very happy with the result, says they had over 70,000 people attend, with around 13,000 visitors from out of town, and it should bring in well over $6 million in
visitor spend.
Mesley described it as “an incredible long weekend for Super Rugby Pacific”, which included three sellout crowds at the 25,000-seater stadium and exceeded his organisation’s high hopes for the weekend.
The Super Round at the new stadium started with the Crusaders winning their first game at Te Kaha, beating the Waratahs 35-20 on Friday night, before the Hurricanes defeated the Brumbies 45-12 and the Blues beat the Reds 36-33 on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika 27-17, before the Chiefs closed out the weekend with a 42-22 win over the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.
This week’s matches, the Hurricanes will meet the Crusaders at 7.05pm Friday, the Waratahs will face the Force at 9.35pm, the Fijian Drua will host the Highlanders at 4pm Saturday, Moana Pasifika will face the Blues at 7.05pm, while the Reds play the Brumbies at 9.35pm.
Source: RNZ Sports
