ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

"The French's loss": Hamilton Mayor unbothered by French team's snub

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 9 Jul 2025, 10:04am
Will Jordan of New Zealand tackled by Hugo Auradou of France, New Zealand All Blacks v France, 1st Test match of the Lipovitan-D July Series against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand on Saturday 5 July 2025. Photo / Marty Melville | Photosport
Will Jordan of New Zealand tackled by Hugo Auradou of France, New Zealand All Blacks v France, 1st Test match of the Lipovitan-D July Series against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand on Saturday 5 July 2025. Photo / Marty Melville | Photosport

"The French's loss": Hamilton Mayor unbothered by French team's snub

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 9 Jul 2025, 10:04am

Hamilton's not losing sleep over the French rugby team's decision to snub the city. 

The Les Bleus are basing themselves in Auckland for as long as possible before the third test against the All Blacks in Waikato next week. 

A spokesperson says the team prefer the facilities in Auckland. 

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Andrew Dickens the city does sporting events very well, using its co-hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as an example. 

She says the event was very pleased with the facilities at FMG Stadium and believed Hamilton's hosting was some of the best. 

The Mayor says thousands of visitors are heading to the city for the game. 

Southgate says they're going to pack out local business and accommodation and thinks it's the French team's loss. 

The second test is on Saturday night in Wellington. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you