25 Mar 2012

Crusaders win first game at new Christchurch Stadium

7:35 am on 25 March 2012

The Canterbury Crusaders have won their inaugural game in Christchurch's new stadium, 28-21 against the Cheetahs.

The country's most quickly-built stadium officially opened on Saturday evening.

It was the Crusaders' first home game in nearly two years and the All Blacks first five Daniel Carter's first game since his injury in the Rugby World Cup.

The new Christchurch Stadium was built in 100 days to seat more than 17,000 and will act as a temporary home ground while the future of the quake-damaged AMI Stadium is decided.

Before their win, Crusaders' coach Todd Blackadder said the team was excited to play against South Africa's Cheetahs in front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 18,000, and that the electric atmosphere helped encourage the team.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee officially opened the stadium before the game.

The police said the crowd was-behaved, though there was one arrest.