Rugby: ORFU keen to repeat SA test success

Richard Reid
Richard Reid
Buoyed by a successful sell-out test against the Springboks at Carisbrook, Otago rugby officials are keen to repeat the dose next year, eyeing a match against the team that tipped the All Blacks out of the last World Cup.

Carisbrook hosted a crowd of 29,126 for Saturday night's test, which South Africa won 30-28, and Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said the union was now preparing a document to submit to the New Zealand Rugby Union, hoping to bring France to the South.

Reid said the union would put its case to the NZRU about hosting a test at the ground again next year but there was no point speculating on whether it would be successful.

Saturday's test was the first at the ground since 2005, with the NZRU allocating the test as a reward for the making of progress in building a new stadium in the city.

The NZRU will host two tests against France next year, one against Italy, two against Australia and one against South Africa.

Reid said the union would like to host the first test against the French at Carisbrook.

It would be the first clash between the two sides since they met in Cardiff last year at the quarterfinal stage of the Rugby World Cup - when the French managed an upset victory.

France has never played a test at Carisbrook.

A decision on the allocation of tests was likely to be made by the NZRU in September and October, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew told the Otago Daily Times at the weekend.

Reid said he had no indication from the NZRU as to which way they were thinking.

Hamilton loomed as one of the rivals for tests, as Waikato Stadium did not host a test this year.

Reid said he was happy with the way the game and ground was presented on Saturday night.

The ground was small and there were few creaks and groans, but overall everyone was happy with the game.

He was pleased the crowd had listened to the union and come to the ground early so everyone could be in place by kick-off.

"If someone had told me the game would be played in 10degC temperatures with no rain in the middle of July, I would have laughed at them," Reid said, referring to the pleasant conditions on Saturday night.

It was the first test in Dunedin for Reid, who took on the job late last year.

He was not surprised the city had catered so well for the match.

"It's like a big A and P show. Everyone goes and everyone gets into it. It was the only show in town."

He praised the All Black management and players for being in the town for nearly a week, and giving the game a high profile.

 

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