Christchurch lose all RWC and Super 15 matches...

Image via Wikipedia
Christchurch 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

http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk

Related articles

• Christchurch, NZ, won't host Rugby World Cup games due to stadium damage from Feb. 22 quake - 3News (3news.co.nz)
• Rugby World Cup matches moved from Christchurch after earthquake (theglobeandmail.com)
• RFU expect World Cup venue change due to earthquake (independent.co.uk)
• Chch RWC recommendation could be made Friday (3news.co.nz)
• Christchurch's World Cup stadium will be out of action for five months (guardian.co.uk)
• Chch loses RWC games (homepaddock.wordpress.com)
• Christchurch mayor not giving up on Rugby World Cup (theglobeandmail.com)
• Rugby World Cup games vital to Christchurch - Stuff.co.nz (news.google.com)

Australia win the IRB London Sevens tournament...

Australia win famous IRB London Sevens tournament..


Australia have won a first IRB Sevens World Series Cup title for the first since Brisbane 2002

Australia beat South Africa 19-14 in a thrilling final at Twickenham to win the Emirates Airline London Sevens and claim a first Cup title on the IRB Sevens World Series since Brisbane in 2002.



With their victory the Australians climb to joint-third in the World Series standings with one tournament to play, the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield next weekend.



In beating closest rivals New Zealand to reach the Cup semi finals Samoa took a giant stride towards a first ever IRB Sevens World Series title and take a seven-point lead from the second-placed kiwis to Murrayfield for the season climax next weekend.



In the other competitions Canada beat Portugal at the death in a fine Bowl final and Kenya also needed all 14 minutes to beat France and claim the Shield.



England's home title defence came to an end at the Cup quarter final stages when they were beaten by South Africa.

Related articles by Zemanta

• England Sevens angered as Stade Français call on Ollie Phillips (guardian.co.uk)
• Team USA Rugby Upends England at IRB Sevens World Series in Adelaide, Australia (bleacherreport.com)
• Rugby: Hong Kong Sevens Preview (bleacherreport.com)
• Samoa win Hong Kong Sevens to take lead in World Series (guardian.co.uk)
• Ben Gollings issues England rally call ahead of Twickenham Sevens (telegraph.co.uk)
• Win tickets to the Emirates Airline London Sevens at Twickenham (telegraph.co.uk)
• Samoan Rugges Win Hong Kong Sevens (bleacherreport.com)
• USA Sevens Squad: Underdog to Darkhorse? (bleacherreport.com)

• USA Sevens Team Wins Shield in New Zealand (bleacherreport.com)