Image via WikipediaChristchurch loses all Rugby World Cup matches...
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully has announced no Rugby World Cup matches will be played in Christchurch
Christchurch has lost all its Rugby World Cup matches.
The announcement has just come from Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully after consultation with IRB officials who are in Christchurch.
The decision was unanimously supported by the International Rugby Board, the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand Rugby Union and Rugby New Zealand.
Vbase, who are responsible for AMI Stadium, advised tournament organisers that it could not provide an absolute assurance that all necessary remedial work could be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup.
Quarter final matches on October 8 and 9 will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, but a decision regarding where the five pool matches will now be played is yet to be made.
Mr McCully says the Government is committed to keeping most of them in the South Island. He says the decision to move all the games has been made with sincere regret.
Ticket purchasers for all Christchurch matches will be offered the option of a refund or the opportunity to secure tickets to the relevant reallocated matches. Rugby New Zealand 2011 has confirmed there will be enough tickets available to rescheduled matches for those wanting to take up that option.
The surface of AMI Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) has been badly damaged by liquefaction during the last earthquake in Christchurch. Super 15 matches have also been transfered from AMI Stadium to Nelson, most likely Twickenham for the Sharks v Crusaders game, and possibly Timaru.
Acknowledgements:© 2011 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
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