Baypark to host Super 15 match thanks to V8

A petrol-head reversal has paved the way for Baypark to secure a plum Super 15 rugby fixture next year.
The Chiefs have confirmed they'll play the Crusaders in Mount Maunganui on April 15, avoiding another costly clash with the V8 Supercars motor race in Hamilton that same weekend.
While most of the Bay of Plenty motorsport fraternity will be heading west over the Kaimai Ranges, Chiefs boss Gary Dawson is hoping rugby heads will be flowing in the opposite direction.
"There are going to be a few disappointed Hamilton people but the clash with the V8s was going to make it too high-risk to have it here," Dawson said. "Every indication is that it's going to get sold out pretty quickly so it's a huge game."
The two sporting codes clashed this year, with a disappointing crowd on hand to see the Chiefs get flogged by the Stormers on the same weekend as the V8 race.
Next year's Baypark match comes a week before Easter, which last season proved an attractive time to bring the Chiefs-Highlanders match over the hill. The Hamilton-based franchise drew confidence from the 11,000-strong crowd, even if the stadium itself is not a patch on Waikato Stadium.
"It's not the ideal configuration in terms of being a pure rugby stadium but it's got better and better over the years and we'll be putting pressure on the owners of the venue to make sure the pitch itself is in top condition," Dawson said.
Waikato Stadium will still host seven games in the expanded Super competition, with Taupo and Pukekohe getting a pre-season match each.
Bay of Plenty's best stadium - Rotorua's International Stadium - again misses out, despite being the only venue in the province hosting World Cup matches.
Next year's game won't affect speedway planned for Baypark - unless it rains. Baypark's final speedway meeting for the summer season is scheduled for April 9, although April 16 is the alternate date if the week before is washed out.
The enlarged 2011 Chiefs squad will be announced next Wednesday, with Waikato players again expected to take the lion's share of places after making this weekend's ITM Cup final against Canterbury.
Dawson hopes that Tauranga punters will still support the franchise team, however.
"This is a great opportunity for us to take this exciting game to our passionate supporters in Tauranga and it is recognition of the connection between the Bay of Plenty region and the Chiefs franchise," he said.