Carlaw Park, Rugby league stadium in Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
Carlaw Park was a rugby league stadium in Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand, located close to Auckland Domain. The site included grandstands and open terraces, and after it closed, it was rebuilt as a mixed-use development with offices, a hotel, and residential buildings.
James Carlaw, chairman of the Auckland Rugby League, bought the land in 1920 and opened the stadium the following year with a match between City Rovers and Maritime. The ground stayed in use for over 80 years before closing in 2002.
For decades, this ground was the heart of rugby league in Auckland, drawing passionate crowds from across the region to cheer their teams. Today, the site has been fully redeveloped, and only long-time locals tend to remember what once stood there.
The site is in Parnell, within easy walking distance of Auckland Domain and the city center. Visitors passing through today will find a modern complex of buildings, with little visible trace of the original stadium.
In 1951, Des White scored a penalty kick in the final moments of a match against France, giving New Zealand a 16-15 win. Rugby league fans in New Zealand still consider this one of the most memorable moments the sport has produced in the country.
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