Toll Stadium given tick of approval

Phil Holden (left), NZRL chief executive, and Alex Smits, Rugby League Northland general manager, were all smiles at Toll Stadium yesterday as the stadium was given the green light. Photo/John Stone

While Whangarei and Toll Stadium has been given the tick of approval by New Zealand Rugby League, this November's test between the Kiwis and Samoa may not be the end of international league in the region.

NZRL chief executive Phil Holden was in town yesterday to check the facilities for the November 1 Four Nations clash, saying he felt Whangarei was a possible host for future international games.

"I think we're hoping to do that," Holden said, adding that it would depend on how Northlanders received the event.

"It's an opportunity for the community to embrace a world-class event in a world-class stadium in a big tournament.

"We've definitely got eyes to the World Cup in 2017, which we are co-hosting, and that was part of our view of taking the Four Nations games [around] to demonstrate they can work outside of Auckland."

Holden had little time for those across the ditch who criticised Whangarei getting the game instead of Sydney.

"Oh they're whingers," joked Holden. "I think it is very naive and very disrespectful to Whangarei, Toll Stadium and New Zealand to be honest.

"I think it's a real opportunity for the community here to get up and say 'well, actually, we are a very proud community and country and we're willing to support our team'.

"I'm very confident the people in Whangarei and Northland will embrace this game and this team."

Rugby League Northland general manager Alex Smits said the event was priceless for the sport in Northland.

"It's just exciting to be able to expose the game," Smits said.

"To have an international test match of the calibre here, we're going to have some of the best footballers in the world out on Toll Stadium."

He hoped the Northland turnout would top or at least match that of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Last night Smits and Holden were at Toll Stadium presenting NZRL's strategic plan and Rugby League Northland anti-sideline abuse campaign, "Don't be an egg".