Highlanders to play ’Tahs in Alexandra

THE Highlanders are going to the provinces for their preseason campaign.

The franchise confirmed yesterday the first ever fully professional Super Rugby match will be played in Alexandra.

The Highlanders and the Waratahs will play at Molyneux Park on February 1, kick ing off at 6pm.

The Highlanders have played preseason and fully competitive games in Queenstown before but have moved to Alexandra next year.

The match is a partnership between the Highlanders, Central Otago District Council and Breen Construction.

The Highlanders will head to provincial Canterbury for their other preseason game, taking on the Crusaders in a Canterbury town yet to be finalised.

The side played the Crusaders in Darfield two years ago in a preseason match.

It is going to play only two preseason games next year, due to the Brisbane 10s tournament not going ahead.

With Super Rugby starting on February 15, a week earlier than usual, the franchise can only fit in two preseason games.

Preseason training will start at the end of November for the side.

Tickets will go on sale at the start of next year.

Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said the Alexandra community and Breen Construction had been vital in making the game a reality.

‘‘The venue itself, Molyneux Park, has undertaken a fair bit of refurbishment recently and is a natural amphitheatre.

‘‘We believe the town and venue will showcase the event extremely well, particularly at that time of year,’’ he said.