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)

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