Dunedin joins battle to host All Blacks

The nationwide race to host an additional Bledisloe Cup game, or a mouthwatering All Blacks trial, is heating up with Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins throwing his weight behind Forsyth Barr Stadium’s push to land the fixtures.

‘‘Forsyth Barr Stadium is hands down the best rugby venue in the country, so why wouldn’t you want to bring the Bledisloe Cup back here?’’ Hawkins told Stuff yesterday.

‘‘I’ve got great memories of my parents taking me to watch the All Blacks beat Australia as a kid, and I can’t wait to be able to share that experience with my own wee lad.

‘‘As for the North v South tradition, bring it back, but why stop there?

‘‘If ever there was a year to bring back the Probables v Possibles trial match then surely this is it.’’

A second Bledisloe Cup test on New Zealand soil this has become a distinct possibility this after reports from Australia indicated that a four-game series was on the cards, with New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia desperate to maxmise revenue after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Originally, New Zealand was scheduled to host just one Bledisloe Cup fixture this year, at Sky Stadium in Wellington on August 15, but Covid-19 threw the international fixture list out the window.

The 10-week Super Rugby Aotearoa competition will begin this weekend and will run until August 16, with a North v South game likely to occur before any test rugby is played.

Forsyth Barr Stadium boss Terry Davies confirmed on Monday that Dunedin’s iconic stadium would definitely be in the running for any event New Zealand Rugby wanted to stage.

‘‘We’ll put our hand up for anything,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re in the bidding business and the

winning of content business.

‘‘If New Zealand Rugby want to come and talk to us about an event we’ll have open doors.

‘‘We’re looking for everything we can get.’’

Hawkins’ and Davies’ comments set the scene for what is likely to be a highly competitive process up and down the country for securing prime sporting events.

Dunedin won the race to host the first game of Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Chiefs on Saturday, albeit with a slice of luck, but there will be intense competition for a second Bledisloe test and the North v South game.

Dunedin last hosted a Bledisloe Cup fixture in 2017, but with Eden Park also certain to be in the running the North v South game could be more likely.

That possible fixture has already generated a huge amount of interest, with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson set to take the coaching reins of the South side, while All Black Sam Whitelock is just one player who has spoken positively about the game.

Davies said that landing the fixtures would provide an economic boost not just for the venue but for the whole city.

‘‘If there is anything we’ve learnt during this period it’s having an open mind,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re ready for any change . . . we’ll just keep talking to ur content providers, the NZRU, the promoters.

‘‘We see ourselves as a key driver for social and economic recovery for the city.

‘‘It’s dramatic. Not only here but the people who spread up to the Octagon afterwards to have a drink. ‘‘Pre-game it’s coffee and a meal. ‘‘The economic impact is significant.’’