Crusaders to warm up for Super Rugby in Blenheim

The Crusaders have announced that they will play a pre-season Super Rugby warm
up match against the Hurricanes on Friday 19 February 2016 at Blenheim’s
Lansdowne Park.

The Crusaders and the Tasman Rugby Union (TRU) have announced a match that
will be the first Crusaders match in the province since 2005 and will be a great
chance for Marlborough’s rugby fans to preview some Super Rugby action.

Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said the team was excited to be heading back up to
the northern part of its catchment area.

“We had such a successful game against the Hurricanes in Nelson this year
and we know that the fans in Blenheim will be just as supportive. I know that
the team really enjoy travelling around the Crusaders catchment area and touching
base with the fans there, so they are looking forward to spending some time
in the Marlborough community and playing this game at Blenheim’s Landsdowne
Park,” Mr Riach said.

Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman is delighted that Marlborough is going to
see a top level rugby match played at Lansdowne Park.

“With both the Crusaders and the Hurricanes playing, there’s no doubt that
this will bring in visitors as well as provide a great event for our rugby fans
in Marlborough.”

“We’re pleased to throw our support behind the Tasman Rugby Union to get
this match here and it’s good to see our local businesses giving their
support too. The last time the Crusaders played here was against the Waratahs
in 2005, and the local support was fantastic. So I’m certain there will be a
big crowd turn out for this game.”