Hurricanes-Chiefs showdown switched to afternoon kickoff

Photo: Photosport

The table-topping Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs has been moved to a Saturday afternoon kickoff time due to floodlight problems at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

The game which was schedule to start at 7.05pm will instead kick off at 2.35pm due to delays in planned floodlight upgrades.

Sky Stadium officials had hoped to have upgrades completed last week but safety concerns due to high winds have meant contractors have lost half their available workdays since starting the month-long project.

The lights were on track for testing later this week, however, this is too close to Saturday’s game, hence the decision was made to bring forward the kick-off time.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said the match between two teams level at the top of the standings was now at a more “family friendly” time and

“Although the time change would be inconvenient for some people, the safety of the Stadium’s contractors needed to be the priority,” Lee said.

“The silver lining is that this will now be a fantastic chance for our young fans and their families to get out and connect as a community and watch a top-of-the-table match.

“We hope that the fans get behind our Hurricanes this Saturday for what is arguably the most important match of the season so far.”

– RNZ