Captain Ardie Savea says it will be a special occasion for the All Blacks to play in Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium.
New Zealand kick off their Nations Championship campaign against France on Saturday in the first All Blacks Test at the 30,000-seat venue, which officially opened in April and replaces the earthquake-damaged Lancaster Park.
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Savea, leading the All Blacks for the first time as permanent captain, said the city’s resilience had left a lasting impression.
“I’ve been around the city this week and just seeing it alive, it’s such a blessing to see, especially with what happened years ago,” he said.
“It’s my first time being able to play in this stadium so I’m really looking forward to it.”
The NZ$683-million (R6.5-billion) indoor stadium has become a symbol of Christchurch’s recovery after the 6.3-magnitude earthquake in 2011 that claimed 185 lives.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie believes hosting a Test at Te Kaha marks another significant milestone in the city’s revival.
“It’s phenomenal for a start and a real credit to the city,” said Rennie. “Christchurch has got a rich history, Canterbury’s made a massive contribution to the All Blacks. To play in front of a packed crowd is really exciting.”
The match will also mark the start of a new era under Rennie, who replaced Scott Robertson as coach, and Savea, who succeeds Scott Barrett as captain.
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Savea said his leadership would be built around serving those around him.
“I was brought up that way, around serving my parents and serving the people in the communities around me.
“That’s the thing that I feel like I can do in this team, which is to serve my players and the people and the management.”
– AFP
Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The post Savea inspired by Christchurch’s rebirth appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Captain Ardie Savea says it will be a special occasion for the All Blacks to play in Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium.
The post Savea inspired by Christchurch’s rebirth appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
