A parade is on the cards for the victorious Crusaders team, but its coach says a permanent stadium in Christchurch would be a greater reward for fans.
Crusaders rugby fans out on another cold winter night in Christchurch Photo: PhotoSport
The team will be returning to the city with its eighth Super Rugby trophy about 11pm tonight, after beating the Lions 25-17 in the final in Johannesburg over the weekend.
Scott Robertson Photo: Photosport
Fans have had to endure cold, wet nights for home matches at the temporary AMI Stadium, leading to low turnouts for two of the team's biggest games of the year.
Coach Scott Robertson said fans deserved more.
"That will work itself out, when someone shows some really good leadership around our province and makes a big call, and we can play in something we're really proud of. People deserve something that is not temporary."
The Christchurch City Council has committed to building a new stadium at a cost of $250 million, but this has been put off until 2025.
The council is doing a pre-feasibility study on whether the stadium should have a roof and whether it could be built sooner, and the results of that are due this month.
In the meantime, a victory parade could be on the cards for the Crusaders.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel said she hoped the city's leaders would find a way to acknowledge the team's success, and she would consult with the Crusaders' management in the coming days.
