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First All Blacks Test in six years providing 'buzz' for rattled Christchurch
By Sam Smith
For the first time in six years, Christchurch will play host to an All Blacks Test match when the NZ national sides takes on Argentina this weekend.
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For residents of the wider Canterbury province, Saturday’s fixture provides the first first opportunity in half a decade to witness the All Blacks in action.
For the large contingent of Crusaders players in the squad itself, the clash provides a chance to play in front of friends and family while donning the famous black jersey.
Sam Whitelock is a man who’s had that opportunity on many an occasion in the past and is well aware of how important the coming game will be to the people of Christchurch – especially those who experienced the 2011 earthquakes that shook the city.
“I actually played in Jade Stadium too, or the old AMI, played in the last Test match there,” said Whitelock, who will once again wear run out with the No 4 on his back.
“Then I saw what the whole community went through not just here in Christchurch but the whole greater area, the things that people went through whether they were a five-year-old kid waiting for their parents to come pick them up from kindergarten after a number of different earthquakes and tremors, whether they were an older person put under stress that way. So it is great to have Test match rugby back here in Christchurch.
“I know it affected the community just before the World Cup, losing all those Test matches through the World Cup. So it’s great to be back and it’s a little bit surreal when you start looking around, there’s not actually a lot of people that were playing professional rugby when those earthquakes happened in the team so it’s nice to be able to pass on some of those messages we’ve had through the years that have gone past through playing here as All Blacks.
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“There’s definitely a buzz and there’s a lot of people coming from a long way away that can get to the game that are pretty excited. I know there are a lot of kids that it’s their first chance to come and get to the game. Fingers crossed it’s a nice still night out there and not so cold.”
Although men like Whitelock and reserves hooker Codie Taylor were on deck the last time the All Blacks played in Christchurch, less seasoned All Blacks such as David Havili and Will Jordan will have the first opportunity to play in front of their local fans at the stadium they call home throughout Super Rugby.
“It’s huge. I think it’s going to be awesome,” said Havili. “I’ve got a lot of family coming down and a lot of support. It’s going to be a big occasion for myself.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of family. We’ve obviously been on the road for a bit so not being able to see them has been pretty tough but I’m looking forward to having them at home this week.”
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24-year-old Jordan couldn’t recall whether he’d attended the 2013 or 2016 Tests at Orangetheory Stadium as a fan but was excited to play in front of a home crowd for the first time.
“I don’t know if I’ve been to any at Orangetheory,” he said. “I remember going to a few back at the old Jade Stadium back in the day and have fond memories of those ones. No doubt there’ll be a big crowd down on Saturday night to support us. Cantabrians love their rugby so they’re right in behind us.
“Over the years, since the earthquake, it hasn’t been too common having a Test at home. Like Davey mentioned, just all the little things around being in your home comforts and training at your home ground and stuff’s been really cool. Just allows a few more friends and family to come down to the game this week as well so I know all the local boys and everyone in the squad as well is actually buzzing to be down here so it’s been great.”
While this weekend’s battle will provide the All Blacks with an opportunity to get a leg up on their Rugby Championship rivals after a tough tour to South Africa, it also represents something bigger for the wider Christchurch community – and the fans would undoubtedly turn out in droves just for the rare chance to see their All Blacks heroes in person.
