The Crusaders have provided smoko today for the contractors helping build their new home and Christchurch's brand new stadium.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney said the small gesture was about acknowledging the hard work going into the stadium.
“Sometimes the weather is not that pleasant and we see guys hanging off ropes and ladders and doing the hard yards,” he said.
Along with the BBQ for a couple of hundred workers, it was a chance to connect with those on the ground and get an update on Te Kaha's progress.
In the past month the 36,000-capacity arena has started to take shape, Venues Ōtautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare said.
“Over on the west, that's the stand closest to the city, structurally it'll be almost complete by the end of this year.
“And the roof structure has started to be built in just the last couple of days!”
When they weren’t on the BBQ, the players got to see the sheer scale of their new home which is still on track to open midway through 2026.
Crusaders winger Macca Springer said he was “hopeful” to be one of the first to play in it.
"It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. It's pretty special.”
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