Rugby League Park

Rugby League Park

Aerial view of Rugby League Park in July 2012
Former names Addington Showgrounds
Location 95 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates 43°32′37″S 172°36′15″E / 43.5437°S 172.6041°E / -43.5437; 172.6041Coordinates: 43°32′37″S 172°36′15″E / 43.5437°S 172.6041°E / -43.5437; 172.6041
Owner Canterbury Rugby League
Capacity 18,000
Construction
Expanded 24 March 2012
Architect Populous
Tenants
Canterbury Bulls, South Island, Crusaders [1]

The Rugby League Park (currently known as AMI Stadium for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby league and rugby union stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.

History

Bought from the Christchurch City Council in the 1990s, the park is part of a complex with the Horncastle Arena and the Addington Raceway.

The ground has hosted international rugby league matches, including World Cup matches in 1975, 1977, 1988, 1990 and 1991.

It was at this ground that the Kiwis won the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour's sole Test in New Zealand to qualify for the 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup final.

Christchurch Stadium

Rugby League Park sustained significant damage during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake and was closed until 24 March 2012.[2]

After the earthquake the stands had to be demolished. However Lancaster Park, the main sporting ground in Christchurch, was damaged beyond repair. As a temporary replacement for the city, Rugby League Park was upgraded to seat 18,000 by March 2012 with a possible expansion to 26,000 for major games. As a result, the Crusaders are based there indefinitely, and the stadium has also hosted All Blacks test matches and a Wellington Phoenix pre-season match in September 2012.[1][3][4] On 9 November 2013 it held a round 5 A-League match between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory in which the teams drew 1-1.

International Rugby League Matches

List of rugby league test and World Cup matches played at the Addington Showgrounds / Rugby League Park.[5]

Test# Date Result Attendance
1 29 July 1950  New Zealand def.  Great Britain 16–10 10,000
2 27 June 1953  New Zealand def.  Australia 25–5 5,509
3 1 August 1964  New Zealand def.  France 18–8 4,935
4 19 July 1970  Great Britain def.  New Zealand 23–9 8,600
5 4 August 1974  Great Britain def.  New Zealand 17–8 6,316
6 15 June 1975  New Zealand def.  France 27–0 2,500
7 12 June 1977  Great Britain def.  New Zealand 30–12 7,000
8 5 August 1979  Great Britain def.  New Zealand 22–7 8,500
9 22 July 1984  New Zealand def.  Great Britain 28–12 9,824
10 17 July 1988  New Zealand def.  Great Britain 12–10 8,525
11 23 June 1991  New Zealand def.  France 32–10 2,000

References

  1. 1 2 Gorman, Paul (8 September 2011). "League park Crusaders' new home". The Press. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  2. ↑ Kickoff delayed but winter codes expect to play The Star, 4 March 2011
  3. ↑ New rugby stadium for Christchurch New Zealand Herald, 8 November 2011
  4. ↑ Phoenix to play pre-season tournament in India stuff.co.nz, 7 August 2012
  5. ↑ Rugby League Park @ Rugby League Project

External links

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