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27 October 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Michael Laws
Mayor
Wanganui District Council
Why is the Heartland rugby final not in the Heartland??
Wanganui mayor Michael Laws today said that Wanganui is ready to host the Heartland Meads Cup final between Mid Canterbury and holders Wanganui, now that Mid Canterbury are unable to host the match.
Due to the Mid Canterbury union’s home ground – the Ashburton Showgrounds – being hired out next Saturday, the Heartland showpiece will actually be played in Christchurch.
“ That is ridiculous. The showpiece of provincial rugby being played in a metro.
And not even the top metro stadium, but at Rugby Park in Christchurch.”
Mayor Laws said that Wanganui’s home ground, Cooks Gardens, “has proven itself as the premier heartland venue. We had 6,000 people at the final last year and everyone – including the Mid Canterbury boys – loved the ground, the atmosphere and the spectacle.”
“ If Mid Canterbury can’t host the final, then it should be for the other finalist to do so. Not transferred to a big city that is actually hosting a NPC semi-final the same weekend. That is just crazy.”
Mayor Laws aid that he had been approached by the chairman of the Cooks Gardens Trust Board saying that the venue was ready and that they could “sweeten the deal for the NZ Rugby Union as well.”
“ We loved having the Mid Canterbury team here last year, and they told me they loved being here. OK then: let’s keep the Heartland final in the Heartland and make it the spectacle that it should be!”
ENDS
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