Rugby: Taranaki Rugby considers alternatives for at-risk Yarrow Stadium

  • 07/06/2018
Tests showed the West grandstand was in serious threat of damage if an earthquake hit the city.
Tests showed the West grandstand was in serious threat of damage if an earthquake hit the city. Photo credit: Photosport

Taranaki Rugby bosses are sizing up alternate venues after the sudden closure of Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.

Tests showed the West grandstand was in serious threat of damage from an earthquake.

A shocked CEO Jeremy Parkinson told Newshub he's looking in Clifton, Hawera and Inglewood.

"We got summonsed to an urgent meeting on Tuesday afternoon, my chairman and I," Parkinson told Newshub.

"They basically conveyed to us that it's not the grandstand it's the soil beneath it to support the structure. It's a public risk.

"We're taking the shield out to the community. "We're taking on Poverty Bay at the Clifton Rugby Club in Tikurangi on Saturday the 28th of July," said Parkinson.

"Then we're down in Hawera where we play Wanganui down there on Saturday the 4th of August.

"So there's other facilities around.  We've previously had RS challenges at TET Stadium in Inglewood.

"Those are the options on the table.

"The key requirement is making sure that the lighting facilities are up to Mitre 10 Cup standards.

"We're putting that information in front of New Zealand Rugby"

Parkinson said Taranaki is one of the biggest provinces in the country with passionate fans.

He expects supporters to turn out and show there colours regardless of where they play in 2018.

"This is a proud province, they're parochial ... people need to get in behind us. That's all we're asking."

"The facilities aren't going to be at the standard of Yarrow Stadium that's an international stadium which has hosted All Blacks test matches.

"There's still going to be good rugby played.

"We want our supporters and the community to get behind us."

Newshub.