Yarrow Stadium Named One of the Worlds Best Rugby Venues

Last year it hosted an All Blacks test match and helped the Kiwis prepare for their World Cup-winning efforts – and now New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium is counted among the best rugby grounds in the world.

In May’s issue of New Zealand Rugby World magazine, Yarrow Stadium has been named in third place – beating out big names such as Newlands and Twickenham in the process, and coming behind Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (second place) and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium (first).

No other New Zealand rugby stadium made the list.

In tapping Yarrow Stadium for third spot, NZRW has focused on its “distinctly Kiwi” atmosphere, being a regional stadium and, as such, in the spiritual home of rugby, and with Mt Taranaki visible in the background.

“Then there is the ground itself. It is tight,” says the magazine.

“The two stands are close to the pitch and you feel you are almost on top of the action. The players know you are there and it is shared, intense experience.

“It helps immeasurably that the locals have a great knowledge of the game and are vocal in their support.”

Editor Gregor Paul says in compiling the list he considered the entire package of the rugby experience: The town or city the stadium is in, ease of transport to the stadium, the facilities and the atmosphere.

While there are some world-class stadiums in Europe, they did not make the magazine’s list due to a relatively poor overall experience for rugby fans.

Originally from Scotland, Mr Paul’s first time at Yarrow Stadium was in 2004 at a Taranaki vs Waikato NPC game. “It was fantastic from the moment I got to New Plymouth until the moment I left, and it was the first time in New Zealand where I actually felt the whole package had been put together really well,” he says.

“Taranaki actually lost that game but it didn’t stop them from going out and enjoying themselves afterwards – something that doesn’t always happen around New Zealand rugby.
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“I was back the following year for the Lions match, and it was a very positive, well-organised event. New Plymouth just gets the mix right – pre-match, at the game and afterwards as well.”

Taranaki Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Mark Robinson says the comments from NZRW are a great reminder about the benefits that Yarrow Stadium brings to the region.

“It’s beneficial for us to have the perspective of someone who is a fan of the wider rugby experience, and getting praise like this from New Zealand Rugby World is great news for the stadium and for Taranaki rugby – particularly as we gear up for the Rugby World Cup,” says Mr Robinson.

New Plymouth District Mayor Peter Tennent welcomed the plaudit from NZRW – adding that it is recognition for the entire community.

“We have a great team who run a very good ship when the big events come to Yarrow Stadium, but New Zealand Rugby World has also recognised the passion of the entire community and the commitment of our business people and hospitality sector in delivering a fantastic all-round rugby experience,” says Mayor Pete.

“It certainly gives Yarrow Stadium and New Plymouth District a boost as we market future big matches, and of course the three Rugby World Cup matches that are coming our way.”

The accolades keep rolling for Taranaki sports facilities as they are recognised on the world stage by respected bodies.

In 2007 the prestigious British publisher Wisden named New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park one of the top six cricket grounds in world, with author Tim de Lisle citing its “gorgeous, natural setting”.

Then last year the venue for the ITU Triathlon Continental Cup, the Coastal Walkway, was recognised as the top project in the world by the United Nations-backed LivCom Awards.

The full NZRW list of top stadiums is: 1 – Millennium Stadium (Cardiff, Wales); 2 – Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane, Australia); 3 – Yarrow Stadium (New Plymouth, New Zealand); 4 – Croke Park (Dublin, Ireland); 5 – Twickenham (London, England); 6 – Stade Aime Giral (Perpignan, France); 7 – Newlands (Cape Town, South Africa); 8 – The Greenyards (Melrose, Scotland); 9 – Thomond Park (Limerick, Ireland); 10 – Stadio Flamino (Rome, Italy).