NewZealandAtoZ reviews; The 2008 Super 14 Final

The end of the Super 14 competition arrives and the final is between the New Crusaders (from Canterbury and top of the South Island region) and NSW Warratahs at AMI stadium in Christchurch.

Knowing the lethargic attitude towards rugby in Christchurch and New Zealand at this time we thought it would be no problem getting a ticket. Try and do that at the last minute to any other country's major sports final, you would have no chance.

Went along to the local ticketek outlet and lined up for ½ an hour and paid $36 per ticket for okay seats in the major Paul Kelly stand. A good price for the seats, but if they tried to charge anymore they may not fill the reduced 22500 seat stadium (reduced because of a new stand being built). This is a trap greedy New Zealand sporting organisations often fall into. So two thumbs up for price.

We got a ride to the ground knowing the lack of parking this major New Zealand stadium has. Not good for the greenies out there because there were four trips made in a car instead of just two.

Walked into the ground quickly and with a lack of any hassle from the security people.

Got to our seating, sat down, and watched the build up. This was average for a major final.

I was expecting a Crusaders-themed night with flaming braziers all around the ground, trumpeters, people all dressed up, lots of knights, themed giveaways to the crowd. The cheerleaders could have dressed up for the occasion with an intricate cheerleading routine with cheerleaders getting thrown around, like any college level sports final in the USA. Then after all the fan fare the two national anthems would be sung and the game would begin.

But no, we got the same as any other Crusaders game, a couple of flaming braziers , the same cheerleading routine, the few Crusaders on horses (which are great and could be taken further for such a great event) and a few sparks for fire works. Then the game started. 

During the game we went for food and drinks. Choices for both were limited with Hot Chips, Fish and Chips, Tui Beer, small bottles of wine and soft drinks the main options. With relatively long queues only the essentials were considered necessary i.e. three beers and a water (for the athlete amongst us). Despite the long lines progress was swift and having been relieved of my $20 I was back in my seat within five minutes of departing.  

The game (which is what we were there for) was great and a good spectacle.

The pre-match band, Opshop (who are a quality New Zealand band) on the stage to the right of the photo at the Super 14 final 2008

After the game we stayed on for post-match speeches but up in the stand you could not hear anything. You could see the interviews on the "big screen"(it may have been a big screen 10 years ago but it now looks like a 14" tube TV in a world of 50" plasmas) but it was useless.

With this we left easily and phoned for our ride that picked us up and got us all home safely.

Really enjoyed the reason we were there for: the Rugby, but as a final spectacle the event left a lot to be desired. Anyone who attends any other national major final would have had a giggle about how backward it was, but we are only little New Zealand.

In the middle of this photos is one of the most entertaining piece of after match entertainment. A horse got spooked by the fireworks, took off and did a couple of mad loops of the field.