16 Mar 2011
Christchurch 'unable' to host RWC fixtures
BY Pete Hayman
Rugby World Cup games scheduled to take place at Stadium Christchurch are to be moved to other venues, following an earthquake which struck the New Zealand city last month.
The International Rugby Board; the New Zealand government; New Zealand Rugby Union; and Rugby New Zealand 2011 confirmed the decision following a damage assessment.
Stadium operator Vbase said that it could not provide an 'absolute assurance' that remedial work to Stadium Christchurch would be completed in time for September's World Cup.
RNZ 2011 chair Brian Roche said: "Sadly, we collectively agreed the risks were too great. The timeframes for repairs were too tight, the uncertainty too much."
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