Rugby: Rugby minus the grass stains

Rubber particles fly as Pranav Meelu of College Rifles under-19s trains on the new surface. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Every mother's worst nightmare - grass stains on rugby jerseys, mud-smeared bodies and infected grazes - may now be a thing of the past as College Rifles Club players compete on their ground-breaking synthetic rugby fields.

Already the players are impressed with the new surface.

"It's like playing on a dry, hard, good condition rugby field every time. You're not muddy at all after which is weird," said Richard Saville who plays for the club.

The Generation 3 synthetic fields were designed in Paris specifically for rugby and are the largest to be put down in the world. They are also the first to be put down in the Southern Hemisphere.

The two-field project started in September and was given the thumbs up only a few weeks ago when the International Rugby Board reported that the fields met international rugby requirements and standards, which included tests on head impact, ball bounce and torque analysis.

The $2 million field features non-abrasive fibres and 300 tonnes of rubber granules which came from Malaysia and give shock absorbency to the field.

General manager Derek Rope is elated with the result. "I think it's the way ahead for New Zealand sports to join together to make use of a common facility. It's great to be concentrating resources to make a flexible community club everyone can enjoy."

The previous sand-based fields were 10 years old and the surrounding hills at the club meant the field was often waterlogged.

Two years ago Rope went to Hong Kong and researched the benefits of synthetic fields.

Former All Black and Japan coach John Kirwan offered assistance as playing on such fields is common in Asia.

The decision to go with a synthetic field was made because of the club's growing numbers, demand for the fields, and the all-weather benefits which mean no cancellations.

Auckland City Council is the main partnering body and contributed $750,000.

When the fields are not being used other sporting codes can hire them.