Late lobbying from the teams — and presumably broadcaster Sky Sport — has led to all night games in the first three rounds being transferred from Rugby Park to the more salubrious confines of Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Friday-Saturday games were to be played in Invercargill following the move to centralise the six New Zealand-based teams in a bubble in Queenstown, which can only host afternoon kick-offs, to mitigate the possibility of an Omicron outbreak.
Initially, night games were set for Invercargill, rather than Dunedin, as it was a shorter trip for the teams, who would do the return journey on a bus straight after the game.
But the teams and NZR, within the space of 24 hours, decided Forsyth Barr Stadium’s superior facilities, including the roof, made it a more appealing option.
It means teams will face a gruelling travel schedule on game day — effectively eight hours on a bus with an intense game of rugby in the middle.
Two of the games involve the Highlanders. They will play the Crusaders on home turf on February 26, and the Hurricanes on March 5.
The season opener, featuring the Blues and newcomer Moana Pasifika, will be played in Dunedin on February 18, and other games are Crusaders v Hurricanes (February 19), Chiefs v Moana Pasifika (February 25) and Moana Pasifika v Crusaders (March 4).
That leaves just three games to be played in Queenstown.
"We live in a world that is changing every minute, so you’ve got to be flexible and nimble," Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive Terry Davies said yesterday.
"This is a good example of that.
"It obviously makes sense. Our ground is looking as good as it’s ever been, and it’s going to make a great spectacle for television.
"We’re delighted, because we feel like we’re contributing to things getting back in business."
There will be no crowds at the games — not even separated groups of 100, allowed under the Red settings — and Mr Davies did not want to talk about the commercial benefits to the stadium.
"We’re not even talking about that, at this stage. We just want to deliver a good product.
"This is a bit about pride, and about utilising this stadium.
"Our focus is on keeping the players safe and providing a good facility for a telecast."
