Wellington comes up a winner as it welcomes the All Blacks with the appropriate fanfare
Monday, 13 July 2026
ANALYSIS: Take a bow Wellington rugby fans. Another one. Your waterfront stadium, once a graveyard of All Blacks ambition, known more for its eye-catching, and empty, yellow seats, is fast morphing into New Zealand’s premier sporting celebration venue.
OK, it doesn’t have a roof over it, and it’s not as flash and well appointed as Christchurch’s brand spanking new One NZ Stadium, but there now can be no doubt that Wellington has mastered the art of hosting a rugby party.
For the second time in less than a month, Hnry Stadium, aka The Cake Tin, was filled to the brim, and rocking with positive vibes and a party atmosphere. On June 20, the house-full signs had been up for the Super Rugby Pacific final, won 60-5 over the Chiefs by a fizzing Hurricanes team uncorking its special brand of champagne footy.
On Saturday night it was the All Blacks in town, and again there was nary a yellow seat without a bum on it as Dave Rennie’s men dished out a 47-17, seven tries to two, dismantling of Italy in the second round of the new Nations Championship competition.
Read more:
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ABs overcome Italy but Proctor and Sititi fail to convince at No 13 and No 6
The rugby wasn’t quite as exhilarating as that produced by the near flawless Canes, but the atmosphere was raucous and rowdy as capital fans revelled on a night when home-town hero Josh Moorby turned his test debut into a performance to savour, fellow fan favourites Cam Roigard, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor and Tyrel Lomax chipped in mightily and then Will Jordan gave everyone something to jump up and down about by becoming the All Blacks’ greatest try-scorer of all time.
The All Blacks had only prevailed in three of their previous 10 outings in the capital, but Saturday night was a winner on so many levels. The sellout crowd of 33,087 was important, and not just because of the economic benefits such a turnout has for a city.
Yes, millions of dollars flow through local businesses when so many people come to town intent on a good time. Important millions, too, at a time when the economy is not exactly booming.
But Saturday also proved emphatically that Wellington fans can get behind their sporting teams. Italy, an international rugby lightweight, was not exactly an easy sell. And the All Blacks hardly helped drive interest when they chose to stay away from the city until late on Thursday, and only picked five of their 11 Hurricanes in the starting lineup.
It was also a wintry old week and even though Saturday dawned clear and dry, it was still as cold as the other side of the pillow come the 5.10pm kickoff. Never mind, the vibe was warm, and the atmosphere rollicking.
On a night when Moorby’s fellow debutant, Anton Segner, had his entire German whanau in the stands watching him take his first steps as an All Black, Wellington revelled in an occasion that drew rugby families out in force, determined to enjoy a match not always helped by an officiating crew who produced more stops and starts than a long-winded telegram.
Memo to World Rugby: your TMOs are ruining the game as an entertainment spectacle. And don’t take my word for it. As All Blacks coach Dave Rennie noted: “The TMO came in a lot tonight. It’s hard to celebrate a try in the modern game. You’ve got to wait till the ball has been kicked off at halfway to have a high five.”
One other grumble: a little bit of good taste goes a long way. So when a badly injured Italy fullback Tomasso Allan was being carted off the field in clear distress, did the crowd really need to be cajoled into roaring along to Sweet Caroline? Timing, as they say, is everything.
Still, Wellington got most everything else right on an enjoyable night. The ball is now in Auckland’s court to produce something equally as special at Eden Park on Saturday night as the All Blacks look to make it 53 tests, and 32 years, without defeat at the venerable venue.