Century of games in the Glasshouse

Ben Smith (left) and Beauden Barrett talk tactics during the test against England this year.
Ben Smith (left) and Beauden Barrett talk tactics during the test against England this year.
The full house is in raptures as All Black fullback Ben Smith scores against England this year.
The full house is in raptures as All Black fullback Ben Smith scores against England this year.
Newcastle United's Sammy Ameobi controls the ball against Sydney FC this year.
Newcastle United's Sammy Ameobi controls the ball against Sydney FC this year.

By our count - and journalists are rarely incorrect, even Pam Corkery knows that - tomorrow will be the 100th major (or semi-major) game of organised sport at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Hey, that's only about $3 million per game. Sports editor Hayden Meikle and rugby writer Steve Hepburn look back over the past 99 matches and pick a thrill or two.

 

TOP 10 GAMES


1. Crusaders 32, Highlanders 30, 2014 - end-to-end stuff with a thrilling finish.
2. All Blacks 29, England 28, 2014 - sublime third quarter from All Blacks and some great tries.
3. Warriors 48, Broncos 4, 2014 - the Warriors were on fire but it was no indication of the season to come. Within a couple of months, head coach Matt Elliott was axed.
4. Newcastle 4, Sydney 0, 2014 - one-way traffic, to be honest, but still great to have a premier league side in Dunedin.
5. England 13, Argentina 9, 2011 - amazing atmosphere and almost an upset but England just got home.
6. Ireland 36, Italy 6, 2011 - place packed with loads of Dunedin people wearing green jerseys. Irish ran away with game.
7. All Blacks 41, Australia 33, 2013 - Bledisloe Cup came back to Dunedin after a 12-year break and All Blacks do the business.
8. Phoenix 2, Roar 0, 2012 - the Roar looked the favourite but the Phoenix scored early through Paul Ifill and never looked back.
9. Hawkes Bay 20, Otago 19, 2013 - big crowd to watch Otago's first defence of the shield for 56 years. Blind referee missed a penalty that would have won the game for Otago.
10. Highlanders 27, Crusaders 24, 2012 - Crusaders led early before the Highlanders came back and Hosea Gear scored in the corner to seal the win.

 

THE CONTROVERSIES
Clockgate

The first time the Highlanders played at the stadium and in a cliffhanger the home side was three points ahead with time up on the clock.

But the clock at the stadium was wrong. It had not allowed for stoppages in the second half.

Twice the Highlanders kicked it out thinking the game was over. But it wasn't.

Luckily, the Highlanders managed to hang on and save the blushes of everyone concerned.

The first streaker 
The crowd was in a boisterous mood the first time the Warriors played against the Broncos.

Then at halftime, a streaker emerged from the west end of the ground.

Showing some speed, he burst past security guards. But he could not get ahead of ageless Warriors trainer Ruben Wiki.

Wiki lowered him with a classical tackle, much to the approval of the big crowd.

Radar off
Right, you have a roof that (mostly) keeps out the weather.

So surely that should mean great goalkicking. But no, many of the world's greatest goal kickers have struggled at this place. Jonny Wilkinson was woeful at the World Cup.

Morne Steyn lost a test for the Springboks in 2012 because he could not find the sticks.

Mad Ma'a 
The awful year the Highlanders had in 2013 came to a climax when they played the Crusaders.

They were still in the contest just after halftime, but Ma'a Nonu threw winning hopes away by upending Ryan Crotty in an ugly tackle.

That left referee Steve Walsh with no option but to send Nonu off and the Crusaders ran away with the game.

It's a try
In a pulsating game, the Highlanders were two points behind with time all but up.

The ball was moved to big Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne and he seemed to score in the corner. Or did he?

The third match official, who, incidentally, comes from Christchurch, rules no try and the Crusaders go away with the win. Bugger.

The second streaker
A streaker runs on to the ground at this year's All Black test. He is king hit by a security guard.

The guard is roundly condemned for the big tackle but the embarrassed drunk streaker, who he hit, does not hold a grudge.

First time anyone ever complained when a Cantabrian was tackled under the roof.

 

THE DREAM TEAM
The individuals who have lit up the Glasshouse. -

Ben Smith - class act in every game he has played. Great effort against the English in June, making tackles, metres and scoring tries.

Brad Hemopo - the security guard who took out the streaker. Best hit seen for many a year.

Tony Ensor - for a few weeks in 2012, Ensor, the Otago fullback, was on fire. Torched a couple of teams with his pace. Got hurt the next year and only now slowly coming back to his best.

Aaron Smith - the halfback has a game ideally suited to the covered arena. Quick and accurate and an eye for the gap.

Paul Ifill - The international from Barbados was a class act against the Roar in the Phoenix win in early December 2012. Scored a goal and showed some great touches.

Shaun Johnson - As with Aaron Smith, the covered stadium is ideally suited for a player like Johnson. Was great against the Broncos in February this year but struggled in 2013, leaving the field with an elbow injury.

 

Add a Comment