Tasman, Counties get 'new' venues
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:57
An application by the Tasman Rugby Union (TRU) to allow daytime home games at Nelson's Trafalgar Park in this year's Air New Zealand Cup has been approved by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Board.
The NZRU Board, at its recent meeting, also approved a proposal from the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU) to allow their daytime home matches to be played at Growers Stadium in Pukekohe.
NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the approvals were subject to detailed site inspections of both venues to ensure that they met Air New Zealand Cup standards.
A final decision will be made after the inspections in late May.
Tasman have two home daytime games scheduled for this year's competition - against Taranaki on Sunday 17 August and Otago on Saturday 13 September.
Counties Manukau have three home daytime games scheduled - against Auckland on Sunday 3 August, Hawke's Bay on Sunday 14 September and Manawatu on Saturday 20 September.
Sorensen said Tasman and Counties Manukau would continue to play their night matches at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park and Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium respectively, as the lighting at Trafalgar Park and Growers Stadium was currently not up to Air New Zealand Cup standard.
