When Francis Leilua headed for the Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday, the Selwyn College second five-eighth was hoping he might dot down first for his team.
That hope turned into reality early in the first half when Leilua became the first rugby player to score a try at Dunedin's new stadium.
"I hoped I would," the physical education student said after the game.
"It was awesome to get the first try at the stadium."
The rugby game between Selwyn and Knox university colleges at noon yesterday was the first trial for the stadium.
About 1000 enthusiastic supporters, two of whom took the opportunity to be the first streakers at a stadium event, attended.
A 20-year-old male student was arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour, and a second person, who had been identified, would be spoken to.
Leilua, who is studying at the University of Otago and is originally from Auckland, picked up his five-pointer after a well-executed short pass from his captain, first five-eighth William Mushet, after a strong maul.
That fact tied in nicely with what Mushet did next - he became the first rugby player to kick a goal at the stadium.
The kick was about 18m out, and 7m to the right of the posts, and Mushet took his time to line it up.
Asked if he was nervous, he said he "sure was", and the fact he might become the first goal kicker was weighing heavily on his mind.
"I had a little tingle in the legs."
The game was a great experience, with turf that was "immaculate for running rugby", Mushet said.
Knox captain Scott Archer backed up his opponent, saying the game was "absolutely awesome".
"For the majority of us, it's our only opportunity to play on an international ground."
Selwyn won the contest.
At the end of the game, the stadium's turf appeared to have held up well, protected from the light rain that fell.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive David Davies said later both the players and the public appeared to have left happy. That was positive, despite it being early days.
He was particularly pleased with staff, who had begun work "extraordinarily early" and would not leave until late at night.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Dunedin
The venue was "a fantastic achievement".
He came to the stadium to "shout for Knox".
He had only heard the "negative" side of the stadium argument, so could not comment on where he stood in the debate.
Dunedin
"It's pretty impressive, everybody will say that.
"It's great."
He had been against the stadium, wanting a rebuild on the Carisbrook site at a cost much less than the new stadium. He came to the game "to say I've been here for the first game".
Dunedin
"It's fantastic. It's really impressive," she said of the venue.
She attended "to be part of history", had been neutral in the stadium debate, but was worried about the cost.
Dunedin
The stadium was "a wonderful asset for the city".
"Dunedin needs something like this."
