McLean Park to host Hurricanes v Brumbies next year

Hurricanes captain Dane Coles during a Victory Parade for the Super Rugby Championship winning Hurricanes in Wellington earlier this year.

Defending Investec Super Rugby champions, the Hurricanes, will play the Brumbies at McLean Park in Napier in April next year.

It was announced today that the match will be played on Friday, April 21.

It will be the Hurricanes' third home match in Napier in four years after high-scoring and well attended wins over the Bulls and Highlanders in 2014 and 2015.

Napier City Council chief executive Wayne Jack said attracting Super Rugby to Hawke's Bay was a positive for the city and the wider region.

"To have the defending champions in a truly international competition playing at McLean Park is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city and highlight our region in a positive light.

"The people of Napier and Hawke's Bay love their sport and love their rugby. I have no doubt they will get behind this match and create a wonderful weekend for everyone concerned."

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union chief executive Mike Bishop said the fixture was an important one for the province.

"We are genuinely excited to host the defending Investec Super Rugby champion Hurricanes in our town and when you consider their form over the past two years I'm sure our fans can't wait to see them running onto McLean Park.

"Everyone in Hawke's Bay is extremely proud of what the Hurricanes achieved last year and it certainly helps that there were a few Magpies players in the mix too.

"It will be inspiring for our young rugby players to see some of their sporting heroes playing in their back yard."

The match will be the tenth time the Hurricanes have played in Napier since they played Transvaal in 1996, but the first time the city has hosted the two-time Super Rugby champion Brumbies.

"We are delighted to host such a prestigious game. The Brumbies have shown over a long period of time they are a quality team," Bishop said.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said Hawke's Bay had always been an important region for the club and continued to make a significant contribution to the team's success.

"Last time the squad were in Napier they were overwhelmed by the support they received from the locals and I know the players are excited about returning again in 2017.

"McLean Park has been a great venue for the Hurricanes over the years and when you look at a record of six wins from nine matches it's been a successful one too."

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said the match was good news for everyone in the region.

"It'll be fantastic for the city of Napier and indeed the whole of Hawke's Bay to host the Hurricanes once again. I'm really looking forward to it."

Hurricanes at McLean Park in Napier:
1996 v Transvaal, WON 32-16
1997 v Waratahs, WON 19-3
1998 v Crusaders, LOST 17-39
1999 v Waratahs, WON 13-7
2001 v Highlanders, WON 35-33
2003 v Bulls, LOST 34-46
2011 v Bulls, LOST 14-26
2014 v Bulls, WON 25-20
2015 v Highlanders, WON 56-20
2017 v Brumbies, April 21, 2017