Oamaru to host Super South Island rugby clash

The Highlanders rugged forward pack will take on the Crusaders at Omaru as part of their pre-season Super Rugby campaign in 2027 PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Ōamaru is set for a Super Rugby showdown with the Highlanders and Crusaders set for their annual pre-season clash on Friday 5 February 2027 at Whitestone Contracting Stadium.

The fixture will provide both teams with an important opportunity to prepare for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season which opens the following week for the new season.

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Highlanders CEO Roger Clark, welcomed the Highlanders return to Ōamaru and North Otago.

"It's fantastic to be bringing the Highlanders back into the North Otago community, and we're grateful to Breen for making this opportunity possible.

"Regional rugby is incredibly important to us as a Club and it's an opportunity to connect with our supporters who can’t always get to see the team play live and hopefully inspire the next generation of Highlanders players and fans.

“We’re excited to be coming to Ōamaru and to use the fantastic new Events Centre facility. It’s a real credit to the vision of the Hurst family and the Waitaki District Council, and a real asset for the North Otago community.”

The Friday fixture provides the perfect start to the Waitangi Day long weekend, with the public holiday observed on Monday 8 February