For 14 years, the ground stood as a symbol of strength, resilience, and community pride. Built as a temporary venue in less than 100 days after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, constructed from recycled pieces of New Zealand’s sporting past and transformed into a rugby home.
Apollo Projects Stadium became the fortress of the Crusaders and Canterbury, it also reconnected Christchurch with something deeply missed, Test rugby. Over the past decade, Apollo Projects Stadium has hosted Black Ferns brilliance, All Blacks drama, historic upsets, emotional milestones, and the return of international footy to the South Island’s largest city.
Crusaders, the fortress that defined an era
While Test rugby brought global eyes to Christchurch, it was the Crusaders who truly turned Apollo Projects Stadium into a fortress. Across 121 matches, they won 99, lost 21, drew one, and went a perfect 19-0 in home playoff games, an unmatched record in Super Rugby history.
Their biggest win was 85-26 over the Rebels (2016), and their largest margin was 66-0, also against the Rebels (2019). The Crusaders even completed two unbeaten home seasons in 2013 (9/9) and 2018 (12/12).
Richie Mo’unga electrified the ground with 938 points, Codie Taylor and George Bridge each scored 32 tries, and Sam Whitelock became the stadium’s most successful player with 66 wins.
Fans will forever talk about:
- Mitch Hunt’s halfway drop goal in 2017
- The renaming of the venue to “Wyatt Crockett Stadium” for his 200th Super Rugby match
- Macca Springer’s five‑try haul against the Force in 2025
- Thundering derbies, especially against the Chiefs and Hurricanes
- A 12‑year stretch where only the Sharks had a 50 percent win record in Christchurch
Canterbury, a decade of provincial dominance
Canterbury’s NPC legacy at Apollo Projects Stadium was equally formidable. Across 84 matches, they won 69, claimed 16 finals wins, and produced unbeaten home seasons in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Their biggest win was 84-0 against Southland and they won their first 16 home games at the venue.
Key milestones included:
- Richie Mo’unga’s record 25‑point haul vs Tasman in the 2017 NPC final
- Milford Keresoma, Braydon Ennor and Mitchell Drummond’s four‑try games
- Three dramatic Ranfurly Shield extra‑time victories
- Drummond’s stadium-record 52 appearances and 40 wins
- Canterbury’s Ranfurly Shield record at Addington was 9-3, featuring classic showdowns against Taranaki (twice) and Otago.
All Blacks saw drama, debuts and a historic upset
International men’s rugby returned to Christchurch in June of 2012 and Apollo Projects Stadium quickly became home to tense finishes and memorable milestones.
2012: Carter’s drop goal sinks Ireland
The All Blacks beat Ireland 22-19 in wild winter conditions, secured by a late Dan Carter drop goal. It was the closest match the sides had played in New Zealand since. 1976.
2013: A rare shutout of France
In 2013, New Zealand produced a clinical 30-0 victory over France making it the first time Les Bleus had ever been held scoreless by the All Blacks. A young Beauden Barrett scored his first Test try, sprinting 60 metres in a length-of-the-field-beauty.
2015: Codie Taylor’s debut try in a five‑try win
Codie Taylor scored on All Blacks debut as New Zealand beat Argentina 39-18. It was also the final All Blacks Test for Charles Piutau, who departed with a perfect 17-0 international record.
2016: The Savea brothers make history
The All Blacks dispatched South Africa 41-13, with Julian and Ardie Savea becoming the first pair of brothers to score tries in the same Test for New Zealand. It was their seventh win over South Africa in nine Christchurch Tests.
2022: Argentina break new ground
One of the stadium’s defining Test moments came in 2022, when Argentina earned their first ever win in New Zealand with a dramatic 25-18 victory. Emiliano Boffelli kicked 20 points, falling just one short of Hugo Porta’s record. It was the All Blacks’ first Christchurch defeat in 24 years.
Black Ferns showcased power, pace and historic moments
Apollo Projects Stadium witnessed some of the Black Ferns’ finest attacking displays and one of their most surprising defeats.
2017: Eight‑try statement in the sleet
In 2017, the Black Ferns marked their Christchurch return with a commanding 44-17 win over Australia, scoring eight tries in freezing sleet and hail. Selica Winiata and Portia Woodman‑Wickliffe each grabbed doubles, while captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili finished the best of the night’s tries after a brilliant lead‑up involving Honey Hireme‑Smiler. Despite trailing 27-0, Australia fought bravely in the second half behind No. 8 Victoria Latu but the Black Ferns controlled the match from start to finish.
2022: A commanding win on the road to World Cup glory
In 2022, the Black Ferns returned to crush Australia 52-5, their biggest margin over the Wallaroos since 2016. It came during the team’s remarkable 12-Test winning run that culminated in the iconic home Rugby World Cup victory later that year. Ruahei Demant and Ayesha Leti‑I’iga both scored twice, while former Canterbury hooker Lauren O’Reilly presented the match jerseys a moment that tied generations together.
2024: Canada shock the world
One of Apollo’s most memorable Test upsets came in 2024, when Canada stunned the Black Ferns 22–19, their first win over New Zealand in 18 attempts dating back to 1991. Canada’s defence was extraordinary: 248 tackles, with 14 players making more than 10 each. Sophie de Goede led with 27 tackles, Pamphinette Buisa 22, and Emily Tuttosi 20, including a match‑defining defensive stand across 36 consecutive Black Ferns phases. Katelyn Vaha’akolo scored twice for New Zealand in a record‑breaking season of 22 first‑class tries, but Canada held firm.
2025: A thriller that went to the 83rd minute
In 2025, the Black Ferns and Canada shared a dramatic 27-27 draw. New Zealand led twice, Canada led twice, and Sylvia Brunt forced extra time by finishing a 21 phase attack in the 83rd minute. With tries flowing at both ends, it was one of the most evenly matched women’s Tests ever played in Christchurch.
Matatū, Farah Palmer Cup and community rugby
Canterbury Women dominated at the Apollo, winning 16 of 17 Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) games and defending the JJ Stewart Trophy 11 times without defeat. Kendra Cocksedge scored a total of 196 points in FPC, including a record four tries against Auckland in 2018.
Matatū produced Super Rugby Aupiki history too
- A narrow 25-24 loss to the Hurricanes Poua in 2023
- A 37-17 win in 2024 as Alana Bremner celebrated her 100th first class match
- A 29-7 win in 2025 featuring Kaea Nepia’s double
Apollo also hosted Heartland Championship games, including South Canterbury’s 50-35 win over Mid Canterbury during their 39 match winning streak, an NZ first‑class record and a 66-38 New Zealand Universities victory over Japan in 2024.
The stories behind the scaffold
Built in less than 100 days, the stadium used mostly recycled materials from other venues. These included lights from Dunedin’s Carisbrook, turf and goalposts from Lancaster Park, seating from Eden Park used during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, more seats from QEII Park, and food and beverage portacoms from Eden Park. The stadium was essentially a giant scaffold. And along the way, it created quirks and curiosities:
- 10 drop goals, including two each from Dan Carter and Richie Mo’unga
- Ben O’Keeffe refereed 25 matches, with Canterbury going 9–2 and the Crusaders 10-4
- Beauden Barrett scored 102 points, Dan Carter scored 280, Richie McCaw scored three tries
- Other names for the venue included AMI Stadium, Orangetheory Stadium, Rugby League Park and Addington Showgrounds
Sources: Rugby Database, New Zealand Rugby Almanack, Parallel42.
