A new $400 million stadium that was a symbol of Christchurch's struggle to rebuild after a deadly earthquake struck the New Zealand city will host its first match Friday in front of a sellout rugby crowd.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake killed 185 people in February 2011 and toppled or damaged buildings, including the city's old Lancaster Park.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The stadium, which hosted international rugby and cricket and was home to rugby team the Canterbury Crusaders, was badly damaged and never reopened.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was bulldozed in 2019 and turned into sports fields, leaving the Crusaders without a permanent home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Government funding for a new stadium was finally approved in 2020, and Super Rugby side the Crusaders will run out at the NZ$683 million (US$404 million) Te Kaha stadium on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 30,000-capacity state-of-the-art arena is one of the last projects to finish following the devastation 15 years ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's real beautiful and a great representation of our region," All Blacks and Crusaders back Leicester Fainga'anuku said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This place has become the heart of the city and it's something our people deserve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"From the moment we heard about the new build and what it means to us and our people, it gets you excited.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Now it's finally here, we're just ready to get into it and put on a good show."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coach Rob Penney, whose side face the NSW Waratahs to open the stadium, said it had been "a long wait".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Taha Kemara, who will start at fly-half for the Crusaders, added: "It's something we've been looking forward to for a long time and something the city's been waiting for."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Canterbury found a temporary home after the earthquake at Rugby League Park, where the team won eight Super Rugby titles in nine years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ground was a fortress for the Crusaders, partly because of the freezing conditions that could greet unsuspecting away teams.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Under a roof at Te Kaha the conditions will be milder, but Penney hopes the fans keep the atmosphere hostile.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fainga'anuku, who usually plays at wing or centre, will switch to flanker for the game and Penney said it was something the All Black had wanted to try for some time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This stadium felt like the right place to do it," Penney said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He loves big environments, loves pressure moments, and we feel he'll add real value against this opposition."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Crusaders are also bolstered by the return of All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, while David Havili is back in the starting side at centre.
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