Exiled from the quake-prone Yarrow Stadium, the Taranaki Bulls made an emotional return to New Plymouth at the weekend - and made a little bit of history while they were at it.
Pukekura Park was a sell out, with 4500 tickets. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The provincial rugby side took on Hawke's Bay at a sold-out Pukekura Park in the central city on Saturday, the first match they've played on the ground - more closely associated with cricket - since 1945.
It's been a tough few years for Bulls' faithful since both covered stands at Yarrow Stadium in the suburb of Westown were red-stickered over safety concerns.
Keen fans have had to trek to Inglewood to watch the amber and blacks while many have simply stayed home.
New Plymouth's Simon Clegg was loving having the team back in the city.
"Oh, it's just the atmosphere I guess and being so close to the ground itself," he said.
"It's just so nice it being here in the middle of town. Playing rugby in the middle of town is unreal."
Chris Wineera said he was there for the history. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Chris Wineera had come in from Hawera and was feeling the sense of occasion.
"We're not just here for the rugby, we're here for the history to be fair. I think I saw something briefly [that it's been] 74 years at a guess [since Taranaki last played here]. It's a privilege, it's an honour. The sun's out. It's been s**t all week and the sun's out, so let's go."
Taranaki Rugby Football Union chief executive Laurence Corlett had taken a look in the history books too.
"We actually [played] in 1921 versus South Africa for a zero-zero draw. The last game was about 74 years ago when we played against Wellington, so historically we have played games here but not for 74 years.
"So, to be back here in New Plymouth is something special, right. I can't believe we are here and I'm just really excited for the locals and there's a great buzz and great noise."
A former professional player himself, Corlett thought it was a day the team would never forget.
"I think it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to get on the hallowed turf of Pukekura Park, one of the greatest cricket grounds in the world. I think they will look back at this game and will just be stoked to have been involved with it.
"I think it's a historic moment, just a great moment for Taranaki rugby. We've been down on our knees and hurting and this is a great step forward in the right direction and building on our history."
About 4500 fans packed onto the terraces at Pukekura Park. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The sentiment was shared by most of the 4500 fans crammed onto the steep terraces at Pukekura Park.
Billy reckoned the ground should be used more often.
"I think it's bloody fantastic, mate. You know we should've been here a long time ago."
Fans stream through the gates into Pukekura Park. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Kirsty was enjoying her day out.
"Oh, it's beautiful, a good spot. It's open, it's beautiful, the sun's shining. What more could you want?"
Mike couldn't get enough of the ground either.
"Oh, it's bloody awesome. It's so good we are back in New Plymouth."
One punter, who preferred not to give his name, did have some reservations.
"It's bloody awesome I tell you now. Pity about the goalposts. Have you seen them? They're historical ... they should've stayed there."
Groundskeeper Craig Hitchcock reckoned his 40-50 year-old goalposts were up to the job. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
But groundskeeper Craig Hitchcock was perfectly happy with the posts.
"The goalposts are around 40 to 50 years old and the sleeves in the ground date back to the 1920s or 1930s. You know, it's just for the game for nostalgia, so they're the ones we always use here, so that's it."
Cricketing bible Wisden once described Pukekura Park as one of the six best cricket grounds in the world.
But Hitchcock wasn't too worried about his cricketing block either.
"Over the past 10 or 15 years we've either had rugby league or football played here, so in terms of having one rugby game, you know, we're just hoping everything goes according to plan."
Even the prospect of a scrum or two on the pitch didn't faze him.
"Yeah well, it is what it is, so we'll just have to deal with it after the game."
The Bulls ran out comfortable 33-19 winners, but for the rest of the season will return to their temporary home at TET Stadium in Inglewood.
The Taranaki rugby union said it was open to returning to Pukekura Park for one-off matches in the future.
Yarrow Stadium meanwhile was hoping to open its earthquake-strengthened West Stand in time for next season's provincial championship.
