Bid still on table, but . . .

A bold bid to bring an All Blacks test to Invercargill in 2021 remains on the table, although the state of Rugby Park could curtail the plans.

Rugby Southland general manager Brian Hopley, alongside other community leaders, put together a bid to try to attract a test match to Invercargill during the 2020 or 2021 seasons.

Community funders the Invercargill Licensing Trust and Community Trust South backed the bid, along with parties from the private sector.

The initial target was to try to lock in an All Blacks-Argentina test for the city next year.

NZ Rugby has instead handed that test to Hamilton but encouraged the Southland group to turn their sights on a possible 2021 test in Invercargill.

Hopley confirmed the bid was still on the table, but also acknowledged it would be difficult to proceed given the state of Rugby Park.

Almost half of the Rugby Park grandstand – 1567 seats – are now off-limits because of safety concerns.

The lower west end of the grandstand needs to be demolished and reconstructed at an estimated cost of $387,000.

If the repair work was carried out Hopley still believed Invercargill could be a realistic shot at hosting its first-ever All Blacks test.

In April the Invercargill City

Council events committee decided to allocate $90,000 from its budget as part of the bid.

However, the council’s funding came with a condition which stated that Rugby Park was already up to the required test match standard and the council would not be required to put further money into it.

Since that $90,000 commitment, the full extent of Rugby Park’s problems has been revealed.

ILT board member Sean Bellew was the first to float the idea of trying to bring a test match to Invercargill and he has not given up all hope.

‘‘I’m just a boy in a man’s body who wants to see the All Blacks play in Invercargill.

‘‘[An All Blacks test] is a prospect as long as we keep pursuing it and we also have the drivers to make it happen,’’ he said.

Bellew was keen to see the council get on with fixing Rugby Park.

‘‘The building is not fit for purpose, it’s got to come up to standard.’’

A report on Rugby Park is expected to be put to councillors early next year.

‘‘I’m just a boy in a man’s body who wants to see the All Blacks play in Invercargill.’’ ILT board member Sean Bellew