Carisbrook

Jacqui Frood remembers the first time she went to Carisbrook, as it would have a lasting effect on four decades of watching.

In the early 1970s, the ORFU requested the Otago University club to field a third senior team to avoid a bye. I was given the task of selecting a C team. The union rewarded us by scheduling our last game on the hallowed turf.

In the days when we were young, not knowing what we wanted to be when we grew up and not caring all that much, Carisbrook was the centre of our existence. It didn't matter too much whether it was winter or summer. Time and the seasons were measured by what was being played.

The curtain came down at Carisbrook last night for the final rugby test at the hallowed ground, where the All Blacks comfortably accounted for Fiji, 60-14.

Highlanders rugby fans experienced the more nauseating aspect of the colour green at Carisbrook last night.

Carisbrook could be in line to host the Super 15 final but it is going to have to rely on a few results falling the right way and fighting off the competition of other cities.

Carisbrook may not have seen its final Super rugby match, as the Crusaders are reportedly keen on using the ground as  a ''home'' venue if they host a finals match.

Among all the drama of the new Highlanders playing strip this week, the fact has been somewhat overlooked that they will farewell Carisbrook tonight. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back at five memorable games played by the franchise at the old ground.

The historic Carisbrook ground was read its last rites yesterday, after its demise came quickly.

Carisbrook will be fit and ready for the test between the All Blacks and Fiji in July and a large video screen will be in operation.

The All Blacks will play Fiji at Carisbrook in a one-off rugby test in July.

At last, the city stirs, and a somewhat belated discussion has begun as to how we can best accommodate the inconvenience of the Rugby World Cup.

The Otago Rugby Supporters Club faces an uncertain future as the team it supports moves from Carisbrook.

Could there be another farewell for Carisbrook?

The Otago Cricket Association will pay tribute to Carisbrook with a picnic lunch on the playing surface on April 1.

The Dunedin City Council already has potential buyers interested in taking a closer look at Carisbrook, and the chances of breaking even on the council's $7 million deal remain "reasonable", council city property manager Robert Clark says.