Facility impresses scribes

The British and Irish Lions will be hoping for more success like this when they arrive in Whangarei next year. Photo / Getty Images

Journalists from abroad are taking in the Northland sights ahead of the 2017 British and Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand.

Coming from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, the four journalists wanted to get a gauge on Toll Stadium and the sights around the north of the country.

Toll Stadium is hosting the first game of the tour, which will be a game between the Lions and a New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side to be selected from non-Super Rugby players.

The journalists came from a range of different publications from abroad.

Rugby World magazine's Sarah Mockford said the stadium makes for a different experience for travelling Lions fans.

"Fans will be close to the action, which is a lot different to stadiums in the United Kingdom," she said.

"This makes for some great atmosphere and it's only a short walk from town."

Ireland's Sunday Independent journalist Ross Hathaway shared her sentiments and said the game would get a lot of coverage overseas.

"The visiting fans will be right in it, they'll be sitting on the terrace," he said.

"The game will be televised, a lot of people will be interested in the first match of the tour."

As well as checking out the stadium, the journalists were seeing what the visiting supporters can expect to see while visiting the region.

They were excited by the potential of the series, saying it would be a new look Lions side that travels here.

Hathaway said there is a lot to like for fans of the Lions.

"This will be a new look side. There are young players like Ireland's Robbie Henshaw and England's Maro Itoje breaking through," he said.

"They'll play an exciting style of rugby, one not seen since the Lion's sides of the 1970s."

The journalists were accompanied by Northland legend and former All Black Ian Jones.

Jones said the game is important from non-rugby and rugby perspectives.

"From a non-rugby standpoint, the importance of this game is to kick off the tour uniquely. Everywhere they (visiting fans) go, they will be welcomed," he said.

"From a rugby perspective, fans and players will love Toll Stadium. The ground is fantastic and with the grandstands being put in, the atmosphere stays inside."