Highlanders

Dunedin forgeing ahead with ‘field of dreams’

Super Rugby

2nd May 2008

The Otago Rugby Union have admitted that there are no guarantees the Highlanders will survive SANZAR’s Super 14 review.

Despite the uncertain future of rugby in Dunedin, the city council has committed to building a $200 million stadium for the team to play in.

Carisbrook used to be Dunedin’s ‘field of dreams’, but now the city is pinning its hopes on a new indoor stadium ‘ but will the town’s only professional team, the Highlanders, still be around to play in it?

“There is no guarantee,” says Otago Rugby CEO Richard Reid told NZ’s TV3.

“The franchises have a contract until 2010 but after that, all bets are off.”

The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed this morning that a Super 14 review is underway, and that SANZAR are looking to expand into new markets.

The Dunedin City Council, despite committing $150 million of ratepayers money, are unaware the Super 14 is under review.

“I’m not aware of any change afoot,” says Mayor Peter Chin.

“If I did, that would have to be assessed.”

In the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ Kevin Costner’s character built a baseball diamond in his corn field despite having no one to play on it.

Mayor Chin admits the city council would probably pull out of the $200 million stadium if the Highlanders were struck out of the competition.

“I think it will make it more marginal.”

Construction must begin on the stadium before the SANZAR review is complete, or Dunedin’s new ‘field of dreams’ will not be ready for the 2011 World Cup.

Super14.com