Rotorua International Stadium
| "The Hangi Pit" | |
| Location | Devon Street West, Rotorua, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°9′21″S 176°13′27″E / 38.15583°S 176.22417°ECoordinates: 38°9′21″S 176°13′27″E / 38.15583°S 176.22417°E |
| Capacity |
Rugby: 26,000 Concerts: 30,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Tenants | |
|
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Rotorua United Chiefs | |
Rotorua International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located on Devon Street West in the Westbrook suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for rugby union and rugby league matches, being one of two home stadiums for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union (the other being Baypark Stadium in Tauranga).
In addition, a softball field is sited at the northern end.
The stadium has a capacity of 26,000 people. The stadium was originally built in 1911, and renovated several times since. The stadium features a covered stand seating up to 4,000 with a concrete seating area on the western side of the field.
The Rotorua International Stadium has held many events in its time including acts from New Zealand Opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to UB40, the Raggamuffin Music Festival. In rugby union the stadium has been used for the 1987 Rugby World Cup 3rd/4th playoff, Test matches and British and Irish Lions tours matches. To many it is considered the rightful home of Bay of Plenty rugby, despite the recent majority of home matches being scheduled in Tauranga.
Rotorua International Stadium has hosted three rugby league Test matches. The first, held on 16 July 1989 saw the Wally Lewis led Australians defeat New Zealand 8-0 in front of 26,000 fans.[1] The second Test was held seven years later when New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea 62-8 in front of only 4,800 fans on 5 October 1996. The last rugby league international held at the venue as of 2014 was when the Kiwis defeated the PNG Kumuls 76-12 in front of 6,000 fans. That match was played as part of the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations tournament.
The stadium hosted three matches of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The first game on 10 September saw Fiji defeat Namibia 49-25 in front of 10,100. Game two saw Samoa defeat Namibia 49-12 in front of 12,752 fans, while the final WC game at the stadium saw Ireland defeat Russia 62-12 in front of 25,661 fans.
Rugby League Test Matches
List of rugby league Test and World Cup matches played at Rotorua International Stadium.[2]
| Test# | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 July 1989 | Australia  def.  New Zealand 8–0 | 26,000 | Played as part of the 1989 Trans-Tasman Test series |
| 2 | 5 October 1996 | New Zealand def.  Papua New Guinea 62–8 | 4,800 | |
| 3 | 14 October 2009 | New Zealand def.  Tonga 42–24 | 8,000 | |
| 4 | 30 October 2010 | New Zealand def. Papua New Guinea 76–12 | 6,000 | Played as part of the 2010 Four Nations |
References
- ↑ "Australians keep Kiwis scoreless in rugby league". The Age. Australia. 1989-07-17. p. 32. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- ↑ "Rotorua International Stadium". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 31 May 205. Check date values in:
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External links
- "Rotorua International Stadium". eventvenues.co.nz. Archived from Rotorua International Stadium website the original Check
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