The All Blacks will play France at Te Kaha Stadium on Saturday night, marking Christchurch's first test match in four years and the new venue's debut on the international stage.
The match has sold out, with hundreds of fans attending a community welcome at Parakiore Sports Centre on Friday. The city has struggled to attract test matches since the 2011 earthquake, with the city having hosted just two All Blacks games in the past decade.
Crusaders winger Will Jordan, who will start for the All Blacks against France, said the city had been energised by rugby over recent weeks. "There's been a real buzz around the city, particularly in rugby, over the last six weeks and it's awesome to be able to continue that," Jordan said. "You feel it from the fans and the general public, how excited they are to have the test this week."
Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell said Christchurch should now host a test every year. "We've got the stadium now for it. Fans want to come and watch the games and there's a massive buzz around Christchurch," Newell said. "The city deserves so much and it's really awesome and special to have the first test of the year here in Christchurch."
The match will be the first test in charge for new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, who started coaching at Upper Hutt Rugby Club in 1999 and spent nine years overseas before returning to New Zealand. "You don't plan this sort of thing," Rennie said. "I've been away nine years and my plan was to go back to Manawatu and spend more time watching my grandkids play sport."