Rugby: Taranaki to remain at Yarrow Stadium for 2018 Mitre 10 Cup home fixtures

Yarrow Stadium will host Taranaki in 2018 despite two of its stands being closed. Photo / Photosport

Taranaki Rugby's home base will remain at Yarrow Stadium for this year's Mitre 10 Cup season.

Despite the ground's two major stands being out of action in the interest of public safety, the Ranfurly Shield holders will continue to host their defences as the ground.

Fans attending games will be limited to watching the games from the roofless north and south stands.

After announcing the closure of the ground's east and west stands, the Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU), Taranaki Stadium Trust and the New Plymouth District Council worked together to get a full understanding of the geotechnical and engineering reports on the venue. The Taranaki Stadium Trust has confirmed Yarrow Stadium is safe to use in a reduced capacity, with the two stands in operation seating around 14,000 people.

TRFU chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said the decision was a beneficial one for the team.

"We are very pleased with this decision as it allows the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to stay at their home ground so the team can concentrate on defending the Ranfurly Shield in an environment that they know so well."

The team's first Ranfurly Shield defence of the season will be against Manawatu on August 24.