Warkworth has missed its opportunity to host a pre-season Blues game against the Hurricanes because the Mahurangi Rugby Club grounds at the showgrounds are not up to scratch.
The match will now be held at the Onewa Domain in Takapuna on Saturday, February 5.
Originally the event was to be staged at Warkworth with the planned Mahurangi Blues Footy Fest incorporating a day of fun activities jointly with the Mahurangi Rugby Club.
However, a Blues chief executive Andrew Hores says the hot, dry conditions over the summer break has had a marked effect on the ground which is not up to standard to host a Super Rugby preseason fixture.
“The risk of injury is too high with the game only two weeks before the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season,” Mr Hore says.
“We are extremely disappointed for all concerned as so much planning had gone into this, and it was going to be a fantastic day.
“We had checked the ground before Christmas but it has deteriorated in the hot summer conditions and there is too much risk for a professional Super Rugby match.
“There was an important and fun day planned but the health and welfare of our players is absolutely paramount. We thank both Mahurangi Rugby Club for their support as well as Takapuna Rugby Club for accepting to host us at short notice.”
All details about the February 5 game can be found on the www.blues.rugby/preseason. Gates open at 11am and entry is $10 per adult, with kids under 14 years old free.
