Rugby league will make a long-awaited return to Christchurch's AMI Stadium next year with Sydney Roosters CEO Steve Noyce yesterday confirming his side will play a "home" game against the Warriors on this side of the Tasman in 2010.
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The star-studded Roosters side will lock horns with the Warriors in the final weekend of June.
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The round 16 clash will be the first time a regular season NRL match has taken place outside Auckland since the Tigers were beaten 26-10 at the Christchurch venue by the Warriors in 2006.
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Ironically, the Tigers' CEO at the time was Noyce, who is now in charge of the Roosters.
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"We're very excited. In round 16 we will be playing the Warriors at AMI Stadium in Christchurch," Noyce told Sunday News.
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"I had the pleasure, when I was at Wests Tigers, to play games at what was then called Jade Stadium.
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"I have fond memories, which I relay to many people, about the wonderful hospitality of the people in Christchurch.
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"They really embraced having rugby league coming to their town and this is just another opportunity for the Roosters.
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"We have three of the boys who were in the New Zealand squad for the recent Four Nations at our club in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Perrett and Frank-Paul Nuuausala.
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"We've got a good Kiwi connection here."
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AMI Stadium officials were reluctant to comment but confirmed plans were afoot to bring rugby league back to the Garden City.
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"We are motivated to bring rugby league to Christchurch and we have had discussions with the NRL and with a number of clubs in Australia about bringing their home games against the Warriors to AMI Stadium," said Vbase – the company that runs the venue – general manager, business development Alan Garner.
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"I can say we have been having very productive discussions and we hope to be able to deliver for NRL fans here in Christchurch by bringing the NRL product here to them."
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Noyce said it was a logical choice for Sydney-based NRL clubs to look to play their home games outside Sydney.
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"If you have the opportunity to grow and expand your brand, well, you are always looking for those," Noyce said.
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"I think this is going to be a win-win for the people of Christchurch, AMI Stadium and the Sydney Roosters.
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"We're all certainly trying to look outside the square now but whether that means other clubs will look to play `home' games in New Zealand, that I don't know.
>
"I can only talk about our club.
>
"But I think there is an appetite at all clubs to grow and enhance their brands."
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Between 2001 and 2004, the Bulldogs played four "home" games at Wellington's Westpac Stadium while the Parramatta Eels played two matches at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton in 2005 and 2006.
Just like he did with us.
>
The star-studded Roosters side will lock horns with the Warriors in the final weekend of June.
>
The round 16 clash will be the first time a regular season NRL match has taken place outside Auckland since the Tigers were beaten 26-10 at the Christchurch venue by the Warriors in 2006.
>
Ironically, the Tigers' CEO at the time was Noyce, who is now in charge of the Roosters.
>
"We're very excited. In round 16 we will be playing the Warriors at AMI Stadium in Christchurch," Noyce told Sunday News.
>
"I had the pleasure, when I was at Wests Tigers, to play games at what was then called Jade Stadium.
>
"I have fond memories, which I relay to many people, about the wonderful hospitality of the people in Christchurch.
>
"They really embraced having rugby league coming to their town and this is just another opportunity for the Roosters.
>
"We have three of the boys who were in the New Zealand squad for the recent Four Nations at our club in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Perrett and Frank-Paul Nuuausala.
>
"We've got a good Kiwi connection here."
>
AMI Stadium officials were reluctant to comment but confirmed plans were afoot to bring rugby league back to the Garden City.
>
"We are motivated to bring rugby league to Christchurch and we have had discussions with the NRL and with a number of clubs in Australia about bringing their home games against the Warriors to AMI Stadium," said Vbase – the company that runs the venue – general manager, business development Alan Garner.
>
"I can say we have been having very productive discussions and we hope to be able to deliver for NRL fans here in Christchurch by bringing the NRL product here to them."
>
Noyce said it was a logical choice for Sydney-based NRL clubs to look to play their home games outside Sydney.
>
"If you have the opportunity to grow and expand your brand, well, you are always looking for those," Noyce said.
>
"I think this is going to be a win-win for the people of Christchurch, AMI Stadium and the Sydney Roosters.
>
"We're all certainly trying to look outside the square now but whether that means other clubs will look to play `home' games in New Zealand, that I don't know.
>
"I can only talk about our club.
>
"But I think there is an appetite at all clubs to grow and enhance their brands."
>
Between 2001 and 2004, the Bulldogs played four "home" games at Wellington's Westpac Stadium while the Parramatta Eels played two matches at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton in 2005 and 2006.
Just like he did with us.
