The Crusaders have announced that they will play their first 2012 Super Rugby home game, against the Chiefs, in Napier on March 9.

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With both Timaru and Nelson missing out of the opportunity to host this match, Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach has made it clear that it was for financial reasons that Napier become a frontrunner in the ground selection process.

“Having lost $700,000 last year, we are extremely conscious of the financial implications of all our decisions this year, and the extra return from playing at McLean Park is significant. We played there last season and had fantastic support and we believe that support will be there again this year,” he explained

While the financial returns were firmly in favour of Napier, it was a hard decision to make to bypass both Timaru and Nelson.

“Both those cities gave us tremendous support last season and while we know there will be disappointment that we are not returning for a match in 2012, we hope our fans in those cities understand the reasons behind the decision.”

Riach said that this decision would not have been possible without the support of both the Hurricanes franchise and the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union.

“They stood by us last year in our time of need and they are supporting us again. We are immensely grateful that the Hurricanes have approved the game in their region and that the HBRFU are once again prepared to work hard to put on a spectacular game of Super Rugby.”

He is hopeful that with the Crusaders having three players from Hawke’s Bay in Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford and Ross Kennedy, and the Chiefs having four, that the ‘full house’ signs will be up come March 9.

The Crusaders are expected to move into their new Christchurch home, Rugby League Park, towards the end of March.