Painful end for Carisbrook stadium?

Carisbrook, iconic and glorious in its old-world charm, may have hosted its last major rugby test.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is reviewing its future test scheduling and is likely to announce in the next few weeks that Eden Park will soak up many of the extra Tri Nations fixtures added to the calendar from next year.

Christchurch's Jade Stadium and Wellington's Westpac Stadium will continue to host their share of big games.

Carisbrook may next year play host to Ireland - a good side but perhaps not quite sitting at rugby's top table - which may be the end for Carisbrook, unless it can address a number of issues identified by the NZRU.

Even a proposed $25 million upgrade of the stadium may not be enough to put it back on the A-list of stadiums because the NZRU has concerns that Dunedin does not have enough quality accommodation or transport networks to handle the major tests.

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said: "We have made no secret of the fact that Carisbrook is in need of some work. Even if it is in its current configuration, there is some work that needs to be done. Those are decisions for the locals and not for us.

 

"There is no secret that if we were to have played last night's test match at other grounds, we would have netted a greater profit. That could be reinvested in New Zealand rugby."

Tew added: "The decision that has to be made is that, if you are going to take the game to smaller grounds, you do so on the basis that you are turning away dollars. That is still a legitimate decision. Clearly, if there is a large readjustment at Eden Park we are going to have to make a commitment to play more big games there.

"There is no point in rebuilding to have one big game there every three or four years."

The amount of debate generated about the future of Carisbrook last week shows the stadium still holds a treasured place in the nation's heart.

All Black legend Colin Meads was moved to comment before the test that it would be tragic if Carisbrook slipped off the rota. He feels that for the good of New Zealand rugby, Dunedin must have an A-list stadium hosting major games.

The NZRU feels the same way but has to balance sentiment against the need to maximise returns from gate revenue.

There are basic standards all test grounds need to meet, such as changing and training facilities, ground access and transport to and from the ground.

After Ireland's visit next year - and if there is no guarantee Dunedin will be named as one of the two-test venues - Carisbrook will be competing with other provincial grounds such as Albany, Rotorua, Waikato and New Plymouth for tests against opponents such as Fiji, Scotland, Argentina and Samoa.

Probably the only consolation for Carisbrook is that it remains a named stadium in New Zealand's 2011 World Cup bid.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY