Crusaders coach frustrated
Scott Robertson wasn’t laughing as comical scenes of spectators trying to avoid getting pelted by hailstones unfolded at AMI Stadium on Saturday night.
When a storm, which caused the temperature to plunge and was accompanied by impressive lightning flashes, lashed Christchurch during the Super Rugby game between the Crusaders and Sunwolves it forced many ticket holders seated in the uncovered seats to run helter-skelter for shelter.
In the wake of his side’s 33-11 win, Crusaders coach Robertson said he has had enough.
He asked why the city was still waiting for a new venue seven years after the earthquakes stuffed Lancaster Park, and challenged the politicians and bureaucrats to make a new venue a reality.
‘‘It has got to be someone that shows true leadership, like they did in Dunedin,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘A lot of people (in Dunedin) said, ‘potentially do we need it?’ They needed it, and we need it.’’
The Crusaders and Sunwolves players weren’t as lucky as the fans. They had no choice but to persevere with the hail pelting them; although they could have had some respite if the lightning got closer to the ground, with officials suggesting the game may have to be suspended.
As a spectacle the game was a dud, with the greasy ball and sloppy grass resulting in numerous turnovers.
No wonder Robertson mentioned Dunedin, the city which has the only enclosed stadium in New Zealand and where running, free-flowing games are guaranteed.
He, like many sports fans, is perplexed as to why Christchurch has to play first-class rugby games in a stadium that was supposed to be a ‘‘temporary’’ asset until a new arena was built.
‘‘It is too good an opportunity (to miss), a clear opportunity,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘Right now we have the chance to do something special. It is a decision that should be made for now. Money will work itself out over a long period of time.’’
Under the 2013 Crown and Christchurch City Council costsharing agreement, the new stadium was going to have a price tag of $290 million. The estimated cost of the planned 35,000-seat facility was then upped to $496m – or more than $14,000 a seat – mainly to hold around 20 rugby matches a year.
It was then re-envisaged as a ‘‘Multi-Use Arena’’ to cater for a range of events.
This ‘‘anchor project’’ was supposed to be completed by last year’s British and Irish Lions tour. Instead nothing has been done.
A recent review by KPMG has found there was a ‘‘clear demand’’ for a new arena and Metro Sports Facility as separate standalone facilities.
When work will start on a new arena is anyone’s guess. What this means for the Crusaders is that they will have to keep playing in an uncovered stadium that caters for less than 18,000 fans for the foreseeable future.
Robertson said it was time to give sports fans in Christchurch a first-class facility.
‘‘I am hugely grateful for our people turning up, year after year, to a stadium which is temporary. I know, as a community, a multipurpose area for all of us give us what we all want.’’