Crusaders Inaugurate Te Kaha with Dominant Bonus-Point Victory Over Waratahs

The Crusaders inaugurated Christchurch’s Te Kaha One NZ Stadium with a dominant 35-20 win over the NSW Waratahs, featuring a Dallas McLeod double and a historic homecoming.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 4:04 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

A Historic Homecoming at Te Kaha

Fifteen years after the Christchurch earthquake silenced Lancaster Park, the Crusaders officially opened their new $683 million home, Te Kaha One New Zealand Stadium, with a clinical 35-20 victory over the NSW Waratahs. The roofed, state-of-the-art facility provided a fast track for the Crusaders' backline, who flourished in the still air to secure a vital bonus-point win in front of a capacity crowd.

The honour of scoring the first-ever try at the venue went to winger Dallas McLeod, who crossed the line following a slick interchange with Johnny McNicoll. While the Waratahs provided stiff resistance in the first half, the Crusaders’ superior execution and tactical depth allowed them to pull away in the second stanza, signaling that the "Home Sweet Dome" era will be a formidable one for visiting teams.

Tactical Experiments and Match Highlights

The match served as a successful proving ground for several tactical shifts, most notably the transition of All Black Leicester Faingaʻanuku to the number seven jersey. Despite an early ruck penalty that allowed Waratahs’ Sid Harvey to open the scoring, Faingaʻanuku proved to be a disruptive force at the breakdown and a powerhouse in close-quarters carries, eventually scoring a crucial try of his own shortly after halftime.

Key Match Moments: