Hybrid grass for HBF Park

[andrewM]

So..the hybrid pitch being installed in HBF Park for the Women's world cup.. Is there any experience from other parts of the world on how it will stand up to Rugby post-World cup?

https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.a...World-Cup.aspx

[AndyS]

Depends what exactly it is. The Waikato stadium has had a hybrid surface for a long time and it is sensational. Watched the Force and Chiefs play straight after two solid days of rain - literally stopped minutes before the match - and it looked like a billiard table after 80 minutes. If it was that system, about damn time although they do have some pretty significant growing advantages.

[Sheikh]

I don't know if it's this system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GrassMaster but their list of stadiums which use it is pretty extensive: Twickenham, Millenium, Murrayfield, Aviva (so all 4 home nation's stadiums), Forsyth Barr, plus Wembley, San Siro, Cap Nou and Parc des Princes, so the soccer crowd can't complain that it's a field designed for rugby.

[tjs10]

Many UK rugby grounds now use hybrid grass / poly weave mats for their turfs (and have done for years) as it is far more durable for rugby matches.

The technology is constantly evolving and the one being laid at HBF will probably be one of the best available for multi-sport use.

[Sheikh]

One correction:

The technology is constantly evolving and the one being laid at HBF will probably be one of the cheapest available for multi-sport use.

[tjs10]

One correction:

No I thinknit will be one of the better versions, but the ongoing maintenance won't be funded, so it will turn to s#^! pretty quickly.

[GIGS20]

No I thinknit will be one of the better versions, but the ongoing maintenance won't be funded, so it will turn to s#^! pretty quickly.

I agree, this is being done as a requirement of FIFA to allow hosting of world cup matches, so the initial install will be up to their standard.That's not to suggest that it'll be suitable for rugby, but if the minimum standard for football world cup also happens to be good for rugby then it'll be a win.