Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin says an 11th-hour legal bid lodged against a proposed stadium, is deliberately geared towards causing maximum disruption.
Opponents of the $198 million project which will replace Carisbrook, filed notice of a High Court injunction late on Friday afternoon.
A council meeting on Monday is due to consider the construction contract.
The "Stop the Stadium" lobby group argues the public has not been adequately consulted on significant changes to the stadium's original proposal.
Mr Chin says the group filed court papers as late as possible before the High Court closed for the weekend.
Mr Chin says Monday's special council meeting has been public knowledge for a fortnight.
Dunedin is to host three round-robin matches in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the Ireland vs Italy game.
They will be held at Carisbrook, but will be moved if a new stadium is ready in time.