What a waste of a beautiful view putting a stadium on Aucklands waterfront. Do up eden park and leave the views to the people of Auckland.
- - - posted 12.16pm Sept 13 by Katie
Let's hope the waterfront idea for a new and modern sports stadium for Auckland doesn't just turn out to be yet another good idea that is cast aside by indecisive, overpaid and incompetent local and central governments (eg: Auckland underground rail system, Eastern corridor). Eden Park has many great memories, but it's time to move on. A central city waterfront stadium is ideal, as it is close to the Britomart train and bus stations, as well as having a dedicated motorway offramp which runs to the port area. Parking may be interesting though.
- - - posted 12.14pm Sept 13 by D. Mckenzie
Ten years ago when I only thought about sport and nothing else this would have been a great idea and I would have been all for it! However now that I have a young family and live in South Auckland I have to wounder about the goverments priorities.....I can think of plenty of things to spend $400 million dollars on and its not a sports stadium. Helping residents to become more secure in their own homes with additional policing would be a good start!!
- - - posted 12.11pm Sept 13 by Simon
The waterfront would be an ideal location, and just by committing to a stadium in such a location for a world cup would instantly lead to initiation of transportation planning and then implemening these schemes in and around the CBD, only improving Auckland further as our current public transport is woeful by international standards. Having lived in Vancouver for a couple of years and experiencing Ice Hockey in a downtown stadium, the nightclubs, bars and pubs are jam packed creating a great vibe downtown during each event and generating greater turnover for local businesses. In terms of Eden Parks history, there is that side of the argument, but all good things must come to an end, Arsenal just moved to a new stadium after a storied history at Highbury, and Liverpool and the New York Yankee's are both preparing to do the same from venues far more historic than Eden Park. Lets hope this initiative can happen and we can build a Stadium that is both architecturally stunning for Aucklands Waterfront and World Class as a sports and Entertainment Facility.
- - - posted 12.06pm Sept 13 by Steve
I think that it is a great idea to build a stadium on the waterfront! Now if only we could move the port away entirely (but thats a whole other issue entirely). Anyway, a waterfront stadium would be great because it is close to the city, and would go a longway to make Auckland a world class city.
- - - posted 12.06pm Sept 13 by Dion Pitman
I dont know what all the fuss is about the waterfront being a venue for a Rugby Stadium. I think it should be in Manukau, close to the Telstra Stadium. I think this location is a lot better, its closer to the airport, right next to the motorway, and theres alot more room!!! It would also boost the image that people have of South Auckland.
- - - posted 12.06pm Sept 13 by Areta Toalima
The Stadium in Wellington and the MCG in Melbourne are great examples of how well a stadium in the CBD area of a city can work. Public transport connects to these areas and people can easily enjoy bars, restaurants etc. before and after events.
- - - posted 12.05pm Sept 13 by Pete
Build it at hideous Quay Park, by bulldozing the whole place and ridding Auckland of what is arguably the most appallingly God awful waterfront redevelopment on the planet. Then put up something with even just an ounce of architectural merit and appeal. That'd be a first, in the CBD.
- - - posted 12.01pm Sept 13 by Ben
The concept of a dedicated rugby stadium in NZ is excellent and long overdue, and this is the perfect time to realise this possibilty. Eden Park is an excellent cricket venue - it is not a rugby venue. Whether the waterfront is the best location is another issue - I like the sound of the Avondale racecourse site...If you build it - they will come.
- - - posted 12.01pm Sept 13 by Rowan
Renovate the old Eden park and put a roof on it. It will be cheaper than building a new stadium.
- - - posted 12.01pm Sept 13 by Sam
If we build a stadium on port land, where is the port supposed to go? Rather than wasting the waterfront on a facility that will used irregularly, this land should be retained by the port, which provides significant financial benefits to the entire Auckland Region. The money should be spent on an upgrade of Mt Smart Stadium, where road and rail links can be provided for and the nearest neighbours are factories, not houses.
- - - posted 12.00pm Sept 13 by Tim Hegarty
This is a timely opportunity for Auckland to create not just a better venue, but an excellent one!!! Viaduct Basin, The Hilton and "Stadium Aotearoa" would be fabulous for Auckland. Let's not kill it by procrastination otherwise Southland will build it on their own, beside their new Velodrome & Stadium Southland. Just Do It! If anyone can, Auckland can!!
- - - posted 12.00pm Sept 13 by Ray Bishop
Build it where the old railway station is and sell Eden Park and Mt Smart to developers and that money will fund the new Stadium and a multi level carpark.
- - - posted 11.57am Sept 13 by Brett Camplin
Eden Park has the history, a clearly thought out redevelopment plan, transportation and compliance plans and will always be Aucklands home of rugby. Opposing residents dont have to live nearby nor had to move into the area after 1900 and those taxpayers and ratepayers who dont want to pay for things they will ultimately benefit from in a multitude of ways should really live on remote south pacific islands where nobody goes to because nothing happens there. Go Rob, go John Alexander, go the sponsors...bring it home to the garden of Eden.
- - - posted 11.57am Sept 13 by Frik
What a ridiculous idea, what a way to ruin the Auckland waterfront. It makes no sense to build something becuase it is closer to public transport when the public tranport does not even function effectively as it is.
- - - posted 11.55am Sept 13 by Steph
The stadium should be in the best possible place if $320 million is to be spend. And the current location of Eden Park isn't it.
If a stadium of this magnitude and purpose is required then this is the time to do away with the sentiments associated with Eden Park, use some common sense and look for an alternative location. I am in principle not opposed to Eden Park being redeveloped as long as it is replaced with structures of similar proportions and the stadium will continue to be used in its current format. If the waterfront is the best location for the required stadium, then that is fine by me. It should serve the wider Auckland community well. Future time and money wasting consent prosesses as is currently the case will hopefully be a thing of the past and the stadium and council can get on with business.
Alternatively, why not upgrade North Harbour stadium? A stadium heavily underused and losing money at rate payers expense. And a great excuse to build public transport facilities to the stadium, yes, rail.
And hey, for the sentimental folks out there, you could still call it Eden Park, no matter where you build it, right?
- - - posted 11.55am Sept 13 by Lambert Hoogeveen
Western Springs: Here is the best opportunity ever to 'fix' the two issues: Build an enclosed/roofed (eg: Melbourne's Telstra Dome) Speedway Stadium which can also be used for the 20011 Rugby World Cup
- - - posted 11.40am Sept 13 by 84
The advantages of having a brand-new stadium in central city Auckland are obvious. However a development like that would spell the end for Eden Park, a place of long history. If the government is infact willing to spend $350 million, then they should spend it on a new transport system to link Eden Park with the CBD directly. In this case Eden park residents' views should be ignored for the greater good of Auckland.
- - - posted 11.40am Sept 13 by Joshua Teal
A CBD located stadium is a must. Look at the success of the Cake Tin! A stadium located near the water front should not only make sense for the RWC 2011, but attract greater audiences to other rugby games and events held there. I'm not too sure about the location on the immediate waterfront. What a detraction to Auckland's waterline. Why was this never thought of before the Vector arena? Bowl that white elephant to make room for a rugby stadium.
- - - posted 11.39am Sept 13 by M Kelliher
The obvious place for a new stadium is Avondale Racecourse. It is falling into a state of neglect through lack of money and patronage and it would make sense for the racing club to sell up and amalgamate with the Auckland Racing Club. You would then be left with an ideal site for a major stadium - close to main arterials and railway links.
- - - posted 11.38am Sept 13 by Peter Lane
Why would anyone want to place a closed inward looking stadium with no windows to enjoy the harbour views on a waterfront? Sounds pretty dumb to me!! Besides people will only reside on one side of the stadium, rather than it being surrounded by housing/transport with people approaching from all sides.
- - - posted 11.32am Sept 13 by David Morgan
The new stadium should be built at the tank farm (which is already council owned land, which they are looking to develop), because it is close to where all public transport (ferrys, buses, trains) lead to, it is close to the motorway, and all off the bars, restaurants, and hotels, and where a lot of people already travel to for work each day. This stadium would save the viaduct area now that we no longer have the Americas Cup. A stadium surrounded by water and a beautiful harbour, with the harbour bridge, and the Skytower in the background would be truly unique, and quite special.
- - - posted 11.30am Sept 13 by James
The ugly bits and pieces, hotch-potch, pick and mix, monstrosity that is Eden Park should be demolished, and the material could/should be sold as scraps. The then available space could/should be turned in to a council owned park, or sold off to developers who could then turn it into, residential sections, a new school, or a golf course, and so on. It is time that we realised what the rest of the world has, which is that 60,00 seater stadiums plonked in the middle class suburbs simply don’t work.
- - - posted 11.29am Sept 13 by Nick
I think it's a great idea to build the stadium on the waterfront
- - - posted 11.27am Sept 13 by Anders Granberg
How many times will we as a nation and Aucklanders continue to screw up good things. 2003 world cup fiasco as an example, or the super cars. Amazing events that NZ'ers generally have to travel the world to enjoy. Finally we get the chance to enjoy what the rest of the world takes for granted, in our own back yard. But we seem hell bent on kissing this opportunity good bye as wel. I can see us losing 2011 if we don't stop all this tree hugging and just get on with it. All this disscussion about where to build or which stadium to upgrade is just another example of the excessive political correctness that has this country by the throat. Upgrade Eden Park. End of Story. The residents need to grow a spine. They knew Eden Park was there when they bought there houses.
We are a nation of 4 million and i would venture to say that 3.75 million of us are fanatical supporters of rugby and the All Blacks. So lets toughen up, stop being pathetic and get the job done. Get a minister with balls to speed up the resource consent process and show the world that we are not a third world nation but instead world leaders with world class facilities.
- - - posted 11.25am Sept 13 by Mark M
A new downtown outdoor sports stadium is a ridiculous proposal given we have a potential world class stadium up the road at Eden Park. Sure the cost analysis looks favourable compared to upgrading Eden, but if a better proposal was formulated, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. I don't understand why only 1 major upgrade design has been provided - Why not have a range of suitible solutions with costs attached? With North Harbour Stadium/Eden Park/Mt Smart within 30 minutes commute, I suspect the bureacrats are using this new proposal as further case for pushing forward with finally building a stadium at Eden park to be proud of. There's only one statement I can say to the Eden Park Residents oposed to development - Don't winge when you decided to reside next to a Public facility!!
- - - posted 11.25am Sept 13 by Brent
I agree with the review of the Eden Park decision. Eden Park is not a great long term proposition because of its residential location and the strong likelihood of ongoing disputes and planning restrictions. I like the waterfront option because of its proximity to transport hubs, hotel accommodation, retail and entertainment opportunities.
- - - posted 11.25am Sept 13 by Greg Burnard
As a Wellingtonian butting into Auckland affairs I can tell you that there was a fair bit of resistance to the decommisioning of Athletic Park when the new Westpac Trust Stadium was proposed. Now of course, no one would dispute what a fantastic and valuable asset that stadium is to the Wellington Region. Take off your blinkers and look to the future! Auckland seems to have a history of narrow conservatism that has led to the current prehistoric state of it's infrastructure.
I would caveat that with the warning that 'last minute' plans oft gang aglay. Wellington's stadium was designed and located after an extensive review led by Sir Wilson Whineray. My advice, get his advice!
- - - posted 11.24am Sept 13 by G Monrad
The waterfront development is the obviously the best option. Anyone who has been to Seattle, San Francisco, Melbourne and even Wellington knows just how good an international stadium in the middle of the city is - it adds a whole new dimension to the experience. And to all those people who think it would look ugly - it would a lot better than the monstrosity that is the port of Auckland.
- - - posted 11.22am Sept 13 by Scott
Why on earth would anyone put a 10 storey windowless building on Auckland's waterfront?!? We may as well build a giant wall along the shoreline to curtain off the harbour from the public. A new stadium is a brilliant idea, but that location is just absurd.
- - - posted 11.22am Sept 13 by Sean Slack
Build a new stadium, who are you kidding, we need hospitals and schools first.
- - - posted 11.22am Sept 13 by Laurence Pirimona
Seriously how many stadiums does Auckland need? There are already too many and they are costly to maintain. Great that we have the world cup but if we are not careful the amount of revenue bought in will be overshadowed by how much we had to spend to actually host it.
- - - posted 11.21am Sept 13 by Tara
Demolish that Pacifica thing in Manukau and put a proper stadium there. It's right by the motorway, handy for the airport then all we need is to run a short bit of rail to get trains in from Britomart.
- - - posted 11.20am Sept 13 by Stephen
Why has it taken so darn long for this idea to surface? Surely, if it was such an obvious choice then they would have persued from the begining... Anyway, a central location like the waterfront is the best way to go if they are worried about such a huge investment going to waste post world cup. Being central means everyone can get to it with ease and if it was moved either eastward/westward/northward or southward then the people on the opposite side are going to reject it. The beauty and the infrastructure of the waterfront and central city locations are an added bonus to have for further promotion our fair city. The only problem that remains is the transport - this I think needs to be assigned to someone outside of the narrow minded local governments that we have now and have had in the past.
- - - posted 11.17am Sept 13 by Bobby
I think it’s a great idea building a stadium in downtown Auckland, look what the Cake Tin has done for Wellington! Building from scratch you can make it multifunctional for different events. I don’t see a problem filling a 60,000 seat arena; take this years All Black games, if I recall Auckland was the only game sold out? Big bands like U2 and Rolling Stones wouldn’t have trouble filling it and the more tickets available to big events the less likely people can scalp tickets for a quick profit. Try and get a drink or a park around Eden Park on game day? Need I say any more, the downtown proposal gets my vote 100%.
- - - posted 11.13am Sept 13 by BigD
I like the idea, but does Auckland really need another stadium?
- - - posted 11.13am Sept 13 by T Montgomery
A new waterfront stadium is something that would get the whole of Auckland excited. Imagine the atmosphere downtown after a glorious All Blacks victory. This would inject some regular and much needed atmosphere into Auckland's social scene, the restaurants and bars would be humming (instead of 40,000 people trying to squeeze into the Kingslander after an Eden Park test), Friday night rugby would be that much more appealing for the thousands that work in town... and imagine those sweeping helicopter shots being beamed out to the world. Lets do it!
- - - posted 11.13am Sept 13 by Reuben Woods
EDEN PARK The best place to watch rugby in New Zealand more so if the Wallabies meet the All Blacks in the final.
- - - posted 11.12am Sept 13 by Caryn Rhodes
A 'national' stadium on the waterfront would be wise beyond any vision I have ever seen from the powers that be who mould our city. 40 years ago wouldn't it have been great if the vision was there to have built a proper citywide rail network? What happens in 20 years from now when we go to host the World Cup again... or co-host the Football World Cup? Tack another piece on to Eden Park? You may as well call it Lego Park!
- - - posted 11.10am Sept 13 by Kevin
The central city is Ideal. I always thought that the Rugby Union and Rugby League shold have combined to develop Carlaw Park. Its close to the city, the motorways and the rail system. However the new location by the water would be a great venue with a great out look for the TV's to show the world when major events are on. I am a rugby fan however I think that Eden Park poses too many problems going forward, so perhaps its days are numbered.
- - - posted 10.54am Sept 13 by Ken Hix
How dare the rugby oafs even suggest putting such a monstrosity on the foreshore of the greatest harbour in the world! Typical of their thick headed thinking.
- - - posted 10.44am Sept 13 by P Brooks
Eden Park is an Auckland icon. A rugby world cup in New Zealand without Eden Parks history could result in New Zealand losing its home ground advantage. Who wants to be the scapegoat if that happened???
- - - posted 10.44am Sept 13 by Joseph
At 10% extra cost it's a no brainer. Get it done. Let's hope it follows an expediate path vis a vis strategic transport plans for the region.
- - - posted 10.43am Sept 13 by Mark
Brilliant! It is a natural solution to the problem but never dreamed that the powers that be would have such vision. Those greedy Eden park residents don't deserve the right to host the world cup.
- - - posted 10.39am Sept 13 by Sean
Location for the stadium does not have to be Auckland City. Auckland city is to squashed and bottlenecked. Common sense prevails, pick an area with huge space, off an accessible motorway. After the last fiasco of V8 Supercars, alot of people whinged and moaned about that. You also have to think about overseas guests being able to reach the stadium with ease....everyone hates congested traffic....Auckland city is Number 1 for that.
- - - posted 10.36am Sept 13 by Carolyn Sherwen
Eden Park will be the most cost effective solution and will be a great stadium when finished. It is not too far from anywhere in Auckland.
Get the Government to give back a few more of the tax dollars they take, the rugby union can also hand out a bit more as they were the other co underwriter of this bid and get a major sponsor to have naming rights for the ground. That way we might make the ratepayers contribution more sensible.
- - - posted 10.34am Sept 13 by Paul
The building of any sports stadium on the waterfront would be an architectural travesty - an inconceivable failure of imagination. This is the most beautiful part of Auckland, the visual gateway to the city and we will only get one chance to get right. With (finally) some informed discussion taking place about the aesthetics of the city, with the dreadful mistakes of the 70's and 80's hopefully behind us, this feels like a giant step backwards. A quick solution to a problem that should have been solved before the bid was made to host the Rugby World Cup. A sports stadium is necessarily a giant monolithic structure and would impose itself visually on the horizon. This part of Auckland should be a balanced and considered combination of signature buildings and public park. Leave the thinking about locating these sorts of structures to city planners, architects and designers. Keep the politicians well away.
- - - posted 10.34am Sept 13 by Campbell Hegan
Eden Park is not suitable for an international stadium. Firstly it is in a residential area and secondly there is very poor access and parking. Really its only the boys club that run Eden Park that want the venue developed.
- - - posted 10.34am Sept 13 by Stephen James
If public money is to be spent on this facility should be on public land such as Victoria Park or Mount Smart Stadium.
- - - posted 10.33am Sept 13 by M. Sheldon
Auckland does not need another stadium. With Eden Park, Mt Smart and North Harbour already there, and under-utilised, a waterfront stadium, however superb, would be a waste of space and money. Where are we going to get enough events, not to mention spectators, to justify them all?
- - - posted 10.33am Sept 13 by Carl
Having a national stadium (and yes that’s what it would be) in downtown Auckland would be fantastic. Not only for international tourists, but also for all Aucklanders in terms of public transport to and from the game, as well as all other New Zealanders. I’m sure that the prospect of a family coming to Auckland for the weekend from Taupo to watch a test match is made much more enticing by having the city and waterfront to explore than a residential suburb. I have been to many stadiums around the world and without doubt the most enjoyable pre and post match experiences are at those that are easy to get to, easy to get away from, and have amenities nearby for before and after.
- - - posted 10.32am Sept 13 by TJ
The waterfront stadium is definitely the best idea. If Eden Park has to be upgraded for the 2011 World Cup and ratepayers have to pay for it then it should be a facility owned by the ratepayers and not something that benefits a trust set up for Auckland rugby and cricket franchises. I would rather rates went towards a new a $400 million stadium than pay $130 million toward upgrading a stadium that does not belong to the ratepayers or managed by their elected representatives.
- - - posted 10.31am Sept 13 by John Robb
Aucklanders would never embrace a stadium at the waterfront. Eden Park is the home of Auckland Rugby! A fourth stadium in the Auckland region would be an economic disaster. The goverment should not succumb to the non-sports fans who decide to live next to a major stadium...and who knows more residents would complain if there was a waterfront stadium.
- - - posted 10.29am Sept 13 by Emma
Brilliant idea. A well thought out and designed waterfront stadium would be a real showcase for both Auckland and New Zealand. An opportunity to present something iconic representing Kiwi architecture, culture and sport to the world. I hope it happens.
- - - posted 10.29am Sept 13 by Kyle
This is the one chance that Auckland and NZ have to get it right and develop a world-class stadium in a prime location in the heart of the country's biggest city, close to transport hubs, bars, cafes, and resturants as well as being in a central location for all Aucklanders.
Will Auckland (and it will need considerable backing from the government) take this once in a life time opportunity. Probably not, but lets hope so!
- - - posted 10.27am Sept 13 by Ben
The CBD sounds like a great location, but has anyone considered the risk of a terrorists blowing up the wharf supports, sending the whole stadium into the harbour, along with maybe the French and Australian rugby teams? Hmmm, on the other hand...
- - - posted 10.27am Sept 13 by Justin
Some weeks ago I commented that the tank farm would be an ideal site for a new world class stadium instead of yet more apartments, as Eden Park is old and very inaccessible. I am glad that there are now more people with the same viewpoint. Lets hope that the "planners" get their collective heads round this to provide a common sense outcome which will be a lasting asset to the city.
- - - posted 10.27am Sept 13 by Colin Munro
How many Stadia does Auckland need?? Eden Park, Ericsson Stadium, Carlaw Park, North Harbour... Instead of building a new one from scratch, why not just make the ones we have top-notch? Particularly North Harbour, which looks like the construction crew gave up halfway through. Transport to and from any World Cup match in Auckland will be terrible. Can you really see some Pom paying money to get on a smelly, dirty, graffiti-covered bus if a $10 taxi ride gets converted to pounds? And if the residents of Eden Park have a problem with lighting/noise/towering stands, dig the pitch into the ground! Sure the South Africans play at altitude, but how many test matches have been played below ground-level?
- - - posted 10.27am Sept 13 by James
For the relatively small extra cost of building a new stadium over patching up Eden park, this is an idea whose time has come. The only questions is where, how big and by when. By far, the waterfront is the most logical place but an alternative could be the Avondale Racecourse (let's face it racing there is redundant) or a full reconstruction of Mt Smart. The size would need to be 65-75,000 for a growing city. With so many stadiums being built around the world lately, getting a design is simple and getting it done by 2010 is no problem - although the mindless bureaucracy needed to meet the Resource Management Act is a worry...
- - - posted 10.26am Sept 13 by Murray
Waterfront - Fantastic. Having been a season ticket holder for Auckland rugby I am well over Eden Park and it access issues. And lets build a proper football stadium and get the spectators next to the game. Do not make the mistake of building a stadium that caters for for a couple of games of cricket - that can stay at Eden Park. Lets do something great we can all be proud of.
- - - posted 10.25am Sept 13 by David Haines
Viewing any world class stdium overseas and comparing it to what we have in Auckland leads me to believe that how accessible it is will determine the success of a possible new stadium for Auckland. Let's not look at just the World cup but beyond and how our current transport infrastructure can expand and grow with Auckland. Trying to put more people into Eden Park will only outline further our third rate transport system and inability to stage World class events of this type. A patch up job just for the world cup should not be accepted by Auckland, this should be a stepping stone for future events and the future of Auckland as a whole.
- - - posted 10.25am Sept 13 by Matt
Why does it have to be in Auckland at all? Why can't it be in New Plymouth and you lot come to us for once. Its all about Auckland Auckland Auckland....
- - - posted 10.23am Sept 13 by Philip
As an avid ruby fan the idea of a proper statium on the waterfront is brilliant close to the the nightclubs etc so you could make a night of it and also close to public transport so that those of us that are unable to drive can get home
- - - posted 10.23am Sept 13 by ravi rawat
Our harbour frontage is our most valueable resource.
Let us retain a gentle transition from land to sea, and not place some whopping enclosed box that looks like it has been washed up on the shoreline.
- - - posted 10.22am Sept 13 by David Wilson
Why does any sports stadium need to have view. The only 'view' that's required is of the goal posts. The structures themselves are always hideous. The Seattle Stadium is in a similar situation in that city looks like a giant possum trap. The Tank Farm would have to be the worst location, cold, windy and far removed from public transport and has the potential for a chronic traffic jam. Why has Helen Clark, until now always so negative on anything to improve Auckland, suddenly waded in on the act. Is she trying to get rid of Eden Park and remove an electorate boil or is she sucking up to the Kings/Grammar 'Good Ole Boy' electoral lobby. What is so great about these sports events anyway. Does anyone remember the America's Cup (or care).
- - - posted 10.21am Sept 13 by Bruce Miller
I think it's a great idea, yes start afresh. Downtown Auckland is the perfect spot to place a stadium. It makes perfect sense the transport option is already there and yes it's a great spin off for all of the surrounding restaurants and shops. Lastly, we don't have to put up with those boring resident groups.
- - - posted 10.21am Sept 13 by Dominic White
What a brilliant idea! As New Zealanders we have all to often gone with the 'easy' option, however, in this case I believe that building a new stadium on the waterfront in Auckland may pose a little extra cost now but the dividends paid to the community will be huge. This is exactly what not only Auckland, but New Zealand as a country, needs. An opportunity not only to host such an event in a brand new stadium (as opposed to an old stadium dressed up and expanded) but to bring exposure to the fact that we as a country have spectacular scenery and waterfront areas. Go for it!
- - - posted 10.19am Sept 13 by Jason Morris
I have a lot of history with that place as a player, coach and spectator. In 1987 I was lucky enough to win tickets to the first cup final which just happened to be on my 16th birthday, it was a great match and occasion. Just last year I was lucky enough to be involved as a coach with a very talented bunch of boys who won the auckland u45kg schoolboys championship, the entire motivation for our season (unbeaten over 12 matches over 300pts for only 28 against) was the opportunity to play on Eden Park number 1, nothing else was necessary. Myself as a player I was lucky enough to be involved with 3 championship winning teams and although two of our seasons were undefeated I never got the chance to play on number 1, in 25 years of play. The place has an historic role in our sporting life. Rugby, Cricket, even League have shone there. BUT, It is a nightmare to get to the ground these days. The residents do have a right to enjoy their private homes, even if the ground predates the lot of them. Just as Athletic park made way for the cake tin, eventually so must Eden Park for a purpose built super stadium, one that h
