Thanks to Grant for posting on his memories of The Brook. I was at the game today. The last first class rugby game.
There’s been a few last games at The Brook. Last year I went to the supposed last test where the All Blacks played Wales. We won.
A few weeks ago the ABs played Fiji in another last test.
But today’s match Otago vs Southland (Southland won 19-12) was the last game.
The new stadium opened this week. A new era dawns. The Brook has had its day.
I am very sad about that. I wanted it to become a community facility with some rethinking around how it could serve other purposes while retaining the ground.
The Dunedin City Council is fixated on selling it to repay debt. I think that’s short-sighted. But the city seems resigned to the fate of the House of Pain and so what will be will be.
It’s not a flash stadium. But it is a fine ground. With a lot of history. The history of a city. And it has a special place in the heart of South D.
Today the ground was muddy. The home team didn’t win. But the sun shone. And the crowd roared Otaaago.
Now the Terraces are quiet. Here’s to the Brook.
Brent Edwards, ex ODT sports editor wrote this great piece yesterday about the ugly duckling. Worth a read
