A Vibrant Celebration of Rugby in Christchurch
The sea of jerseys said it all. From all corners of the world, rugby took centre stage in Christchurch at the weekend as the 15-man game finally had its day in the sun.
There was a couple from Durban in South Africa wearing a Sharks tracksuit, youngsters sporting their British and Irish Lions kit, loud Americans doing what they do best, and, of course, jerseys from every Super Rugby side running around in 2026 – even if Moana Pasifika’s was being sported by former All Black and Highlanders playmaker Lima Sopoaga.
The three humdrum years of Super Round in Melbourne a distant memory as Christchurch, fifteen years after the devastating earthquakes killed 185 and injured thousands more, turned it on as 70,000 fans watched five games. Roughly 13,000 fans came from other cities, including 4,000 from Australia.
As Hurricanes and All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard said, the fourth edition of Super Round turned the script on the three prior editions in Australia.
“We’ve had Super Rounds in the past, obviously in Melbourne, but this puts it to shame to be honest,” Roigard told Wide World of Sport.
“Normally we’re coming here as the enemy and don’t have too many supporters, but it’s almost the complete opposite here. The whole buzz with the city is amazing. It feels like an All Blacks Test when the whole city is out and everyone’s buzzing.”
Incumbent Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson agreed.
“This Super Round definitely does feel different,” he said.
“The moment we came from the airport, there’s just a different feel here and we’re loving being here. It’s in a great location.”
Wilson added that he would be surprised if the weekend was brought back to Australia anytime soon, including Brisbane.
“I don’t see why you’d change it,” he said.
“Obviously, I’d love to see it in Brisbane. But I guess with the bigger stadium here and other sports, it might be harder.
“With it being in the heartland of some of these New Zealand cities, it’s pretty special – and I know the Aussies don’t mind a trip across the ditch.”
World Rugby, Super Rugby and national union figures were blown away by the success of the three-day festival of rugby.
But even before a ball was kicked on Friday night, the wheels were already in motion around the prospect of Super Round returning to Christchurch in 2027 – and beyond – after millions of dollars were pumped into the local economy. It came just a week after Christchurch held the successful Supercars event.
As such, it was no surprise ChristchurchNZ chief executive Ali Adams said he was hoping the Super Round became a staple on the rugby calendar and followed the lead of Supercars, the NRL’s Magic Round and AFL’s Gather Round by committing long-term to the event by hosting it in the one city.
“It should bring in well over $6 million of visitor spend, and I think that’s probably conservative,” Adams said.
“When we do the final wash up, it feels like, because we had such good weather, and people were out and about spending money, I think we’ll over deliver.
“That’s (Supercars) a three-year contract and that really helps. So we would love to be able to make this a bit of a super week that we can start to really own here in Christchurch.
“I think the best events are the ones where they are rooted in place and stay there.”
Negotiations are expected to ramp up over the next month about whether the event stays in the rugby obsessed city, with government funding key to ensuring it returns.
Other cities and countries have expressed a desire to host the event, including Fiji. But infrastructure is still an issue in some cities.
While Super Rugby boss Jack Mesley didn’t commit to the event returning to Christchurch next year, he added that the three-day event had exceeded expectations.
“It’s fair to say, whilst we had high hopes, we certainly didn’t probably expect the success that it’s been this weekend,” he said.
“I think the success of it obviously means that we want Super Round in our calendar, and we want it in great cities like Christchurch.
“There is interested other parties, but the Crusaders and the city backed this to bring it back, and so we would be starting there, but we’ll certainly be having conversations with other places as well.”
Despite going down on the opening night, and having to depart at 6am on Saturday morning, Waratahs coach Dan McKellar was another who described the event as a breath of fresh air.
“Outstanding. I think it’s been the round that the competition has needed – just the buzz around Christchurch, planes full of people with their jerseys on and there’s a real festival feel,” he said.
“Despite the loss, it’s been a great occasion to be a part of.”
Respected coach Vern Cotter added that it was an event that could be the first real step in turning around the competition’s perception issue.
“It’s nice to get them (Crusaders fans) excited about rugby again,” quipped Cotter, who will leave the Blues to coach the Reds in 2027.
“Awesome. For New Zealand rugby and Canterbury rugby, Super Rugby, I think it’s a great thing.
“It’s a great facility and it brings people together and it makes the trip down here a little bit more competitive and brings an edge to it. For the people, the energy in the town and in and around the game was awesome.
“There’s a lot of negativity around this competition, but I think this weekend everyone can celebrate the fact that it’s being centred around a pretty unique venue.”
