Crusaders v Sharks at Twickenham, London...

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Crusaders v Sharks at Twickenham, London...

It took this reporter quite some time to get used to the game of rugby. Years in fact. But now I’m as passionate about rugby as the next kiwi. But the rugby I’m passionate about isn’t the rugby they play in the northern hemisphere. Stephen Jones and the like may criticize the high scoring nature of our Super 15 matches, but to this reporter, rugby is meant to be an exciting, attacking game filled with five pointers.

That’s why I am so excited by the news that the mighty Crusaders will be taking on the potent Sharks in Twickenham. There are so many positives to this. The financial windfall for Christchurch is top of the list. But the fact UK rugby fans will actually get to see how rugby should be played is another giant plus. Expect confusion. For generations, UK fans have been taught to cheer stand-offs who can kick for touch. Standing ovations have been given to outside halves who, with the line clear, have opted for the drop goal. Passing is something of a novelty.

The truth is, there is more attacking flare in the Crusader’s backline than there is in the entire history of English rugby. How will the English rugby public react? Time will soon tell.

Acknowledgements: - Chad Pennington

NZ  Herald

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Christchurch lose all RWC and Super 15 matches...

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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

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NZ Rugby league relocates Anzac test from Christchurch...

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NZ Rugby League relocates Anzac test from Christchurch..






..
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The New Zealand Rugby League have decided to relocate the annual Anzac test due to the mounting death toll from Christchurch EQ...


Earthquake-ravaged Christchurch has lost out on hosting the Anzac rugby league test between New Zealand and Australia.

The test was scheduled to be played in the city on May 5 but the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) today decided to relocate the international due to the mounting death toll, which has risen to 163, and the serious damage inflicted on Christchurch's infrastructure by last week's magnitude 6.3 earthquake.

The match will instead be played at Skilled Park on Queensland's Gold Coast.

The NZRL said both it and the Australian Rugby League were committed to returning the Anzac test to Christchurch in 2012.

"The priority for them now is to somehow get their lives back together and the valuable resources they have on call need to be focused on trying to rebuild their city," NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle.

"By next year, hopefully, they will be looking for the tourism and the international exposure that this match can deliver, and we will be there to do everything we can to deliver that outcome.

"We remain committed to giving the people of Canterbury the chance to see the world champion Kiwis but unfortunately it is in everyone's interest that we wait for the right time.

"We are conscious that there are a lot of people hurting at the moment in Christchurch, as well as many in Queensland who are still coming to terms with the devastation of recent floods, and the test will certainly include a number of fundraising efforts."

To accommodate the venue change, the New Zealand Warriors' round nine National Rugby League (NRL) match against the Gold Coast Titans, which was scheduled to be played in Auckland, has been moved to Skilled Park. The corresponding match between the two teams in round 18 will move from Skilled Park to Auckland.

"The move has been agreed to by both clubs and reduces the impact of the venue change on the Warriors, players," said NRL chief executive David Gallop said today.

"There is tremendous sympathy for the people of Christchurch and we accept that the city is simply not in a position to host the match."

Acknowledgements: NZPA

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Sonny Bill Williams lucky...

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Sonny Bill Williams lucky...


Sonny Bill Williams has emerged as one of the lucky survivors in yesterday's destructive 6.3 earthquake. The All Blacks star was relaxing in a pool when the quake hit the greater Christchurch area.

"It was a pretty crazy afternoon," Williams said. "I was at the pool and it came from nowhere. It was unexpected, especially as everyone was just starting to get settled after the last earthquake".

Williams and the friend he was with left the pool immediately and made their way to the streets only to find Christchurch in a state of chaos.

"Going through the city and seeing the destruction it was a lot worse that the last earthquake," he said. "We started walking and it was crazy. There were fires and it looked like there were people trapped. The worst thing about it was you just felt helpless."

The Canterbury representative confirmed that his own family was safe, but seeing the devastation firsthand has hit home.

"It really puts things in perspective. The thing that we do [rugby] is just a game and there’s more to life. This is something I’ll never forget."

Call 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 276) to find out whereabouts of friends and famil

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Image via WikipediaIt wasn't the greatest day in the South Island of New Zealand's history. A double tragedy in fact.

At 4-35am  Christchurch endured the worst earthquake since the 1931 Napier earthquake that killed well over 200 people. There is devastation throughout the city and environs. Possibly ninety buildings and an unknown number of homes will have to be replaced - thousands of other homes and buildings  will have to be repaired along with the infastructure - roads,streets, water pipes, sewerage pipes and some rail lines etc. No official deaths recorded yet, though there was one fatal heart attack that may be attributed to the 7.1 earthquake. After shocks continue!


Later in the day a small plane crashed at Fox Glacier killing the nine people on board. Five locals and four tourists. This was New Zealand's worst air disaster since 2003.

Some times things come in threes; hopefully not this time!

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The new Deans Stand opened at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, NZ...

The Deans Stand opened at (Lancaster Park's) AMI Stadium in Christchurch, NZ.

The country's first big-city stadium re-development opened its doors to the public today.

The new Deans Stand at Christchurch's AMI Stadium lifts its permanent capacity to 38,500.

The challenge now is to get paying crowds back through the gates.

Despite the damp weather, thousands of fans turned up to check out the newly-finished stadium today.

“Oh I think it's perfect, really is, it's wonderful,” said one fan.

“I just hope that the people come along and support the boys.”

It was officially reopened this week by John Key and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.

It's the first big stadium project completed for the Rugby World Cup.

Work is well underway in Auckland on Eden Park's upgrade, while the new covered stadium in Dunedin is due to be completed just before the world cup.

The major upgrade in Christchurch is the new Deans Stand.

Its 32 metre-long roof aimed at enticing crowds back to the stadium for both music and sporting events.

“The turnout today's a good indication of where everyone's at, so it's good to let everyone on the field and have a look around at what the new facilities are like,” said Crusader’s flanker George Whitelock.

Canterbury rugby needs fans to return, the organisation lost $800,000 for the year, as game attendances and season ticket numbers crashed.

Chief executive Hamish Riach is confident this $60 million upgrade will do the trick.

“We've had a construction site here for two years, so we've been playing rugby in a stadium that hasn't been like this. Now it's done, it's back, and it'll make a difference alright,” he said.

There's a busy schedule ahead for the redeveloped stadium – next weekend it hosts the Phoenix, before a Black Caps; one-dayer and the Crusaders' opening game against the Highlanders in mid-February.

Acknowledgements: TV3 News