The thoughts and deepest sympathies of the global Rugby family continue to be with the people of Christchurch, all New Zealanders and everyone affected by last week’s tragedy. The response of the global Rugby family has been overwhelming and we know is greatly appreciated by those affected.
 
It is appropriate that the focus must remain on the extensive recovery and response operation in Christchurch and  it would not be right for Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL)to speculate or comment on Christchurch’s ability to host Rugby World Cup 2011 matches as planned until an extensive review and assessment has been completed, which could take several weeks.  

RWCL, in partnership with tournament organisers RNZ 2011, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Government, continues to assess the damage to critical tournament facilities and services. These include Stadium Christchurch itself, accommodation, training facilities, the transport network and key tournament infrastructure.
 
It is clear there has been damage to Stadium Christchurch, accommodation and other infrastructure. However no decision will be taken about the RWC 2011 matches scheduled to be held in Christchurch until accurate and confirmed information has been received and analysed following the completion of the currently ongoing full assessment. Consideration must be given to all aspects of hosting RWC matches.
 
Whatever the outcome of the detailed assessment, all 48 matches will be hosted in New Zealand and the tournament will kick off on September 9.
 
RWCL and RNZ 2011 continue to regularly update all tournament stakeholders who have been extremely supportive throughout the process. All Rugby stakeholders recognise that the people of Christchurch are the paramount consideration at this difficult time.

Rugby World Cup officials insist they will not rush a decision on whether the earthquake-hit city of Christchurch will host matches at this year’s tournament but they have confirmed that all 48 matches will be played in New Zealand.

Christchurch is scheduled to host five pool games and two quarter-finals during the sport’s showpiece event later this year but all those plans were thrown into doubt following last week’s 6.3-magnitude quake that killed at least 161 people and damaged the region’s infrastructure.

AMI Stadium was damaged in the quake and is closed until March 15 for structural assessments while reports suggest that at least a third of the buildings in the central business district will have to be pulled down including many of the hotels that were due to host the thousands of fans expected during the tournament.

In a statement, Rugby World Cup Limited were adamant that a decision would not be made for several weeks following the completion of an extensive review and assessment.

“The thoughts and deepest sympathies of the global Rugby family continue to be with the people of Christchurch, all New Zealanders and everyone affected by last week’s tragedy,” read the statement. “The response of the global Rugby family has been overwhelming and we know is greatly appreciated by those affected.

“It is appropriate that the focus must remain on the extensive recovery and response operation in Christchurch and it would not be right for Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL)to speculate or comment on Christchurch’s ability to host Rugby World Cup 2011 matches as planned until an extensive review and assessment has been completed, which could take several weeks.

“RWCL, in partnership with tournament organisers RNZ 2011, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Government, continues to assess the damage to critical tournament facilities and services. These include Stadium Christchurch itself, accommodation, training facilities, the transport network and key tournament infrastructure.

“It is clear there has been damage to Stadium Christchurch, accommodation and other infrastructure. However no decision will be taken about the RWC 2011 matches scheduled to be held in Christchurch until accurate and confirmed information has been received and analysed following the completion of the currently ongoing full assessment. Consideration must be given to all aspects of hosting RWC matches.”

Regardless of the eventual decision on Christchurch’s role in the tournament, officials have underlined the fact that any alternative venues will be in New Zealand. “Whatever the outcome of the detailed assessment, all 48 matches will be hosted in New Zealand and the tournament will kick off on September 9.

“RWCL and RNZ 2011 continue to regularly update all tournament stakeholders who have been extremely supportive throughout the process. All Rugby stakeholders recognise that the people of Christchurch are the paramount consideration at this difficult time.”

Speaking earlier this week, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key stressed there was still a chance the city would play its planned part in the World Cup. “My strong preference is to hold the Cup in Christchurch if we can because I think it sends a very strong international message that Christchurch is going through a rebuilding phase, and equally, if we don’t, sadly the message is it’s not.”

The Canterbury-based Crusaders have had to re-locate their Super Rugby fixtures from AMI Stadium to Nelson and Key has confirmed that that the primary concern was ensuring the venue was in the right condition to host games.

“That work is happening. If it doesn’t pass that standard then obviously the cup has to be moved, if it does then we can work through the other logistical issues.”

If the stadium is declared fit for the tournament then the other major issue facing organisers is finding accommodation for visiting fans with many of the city’s hotels damaged or even destroyed. “We’ve already made inquiries about cruise ships and that’s entirely possible, and that’s not a bad place to stay if you’re the Barmy Army,” added Key. “Even if it costs a bit more, we might be prepared to accommodate that cost if it means holding the cup in Christchurch.”

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key insists there is still a chance the Rugby World Cup will grace the earthquake-damaged city of Christchurch.

The city is scheduled to host five pool games and two quarter-finals during the sport’s showpiece event later this year but all those plans were thrown into doubt following last week’s 6.3-magnitude quake that killed at least 159 people and damaged the region’s infrastructure.

However, Key remains optimistic that Christchurch can recover from the devastation and play a pivotal role in the tournament as planned. “There’s a series of different boxes that will need to be ticked before we can say yes or no,” Key told reporters on Wednesday.

“My strong preference is to hold the Cup in Christchurch if we can because I think it sends a very strong international message that Christchurch is going through a rebuilding phase, and equally, if we don’t, sadly the message is it’s not.”

The Canterbury-based Crusaders have had to re-locate their Super Rugby fixtures from the city’s AMI Stadium to Nelson and Key has confirmed that that the primary concern was ensuring the venue was in the right condition to host games.

“That work is happening. If it doesn’t pass that standard then obviously the cup has to be moved, if it does then we can work through the other logistical issues.”

If the stadium is declared fit for the tournament then the other major issue facing organisers is finding accommodation for visiting fans with many of the city’s hotels damaged or even destroyed.

“We’ve already made inquiries about cruise ships and that’s entirely possible, and that’s not a bad place to stay if you’re the Barmy Army,” added Key. “Even if it costs a bit more, we might be prepared to accommodate that cost if it means holding the cup in Christchurch.”

Key also revealed that he expected the final decision on the use of the stadium to be made in months, not weeks. Meanwhile, Christchurch mayor Bob Parker is also determined to see the city host the World Cup.

“We have to be pragmatic and realistic and accommodation is one of the issues that is concerning us,” Parker said. “AMI Stadium is going to be fine for the Rugby World Cup and we are determined to make it happen here in Christchurch.”

Parker said he has told Key and all relevant officials associated with the Rugby World Cup of the need for the seven matches to remain in Christchurch. “I have conveyed to them that the citizens of this city will be far from pleased if they miss out on an event that has taken on a different meaning to the people of Christchurch and the people of Canterbury.”

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Team of the Week – Six Nations

England remain in pole position for the Six Nations after their victory over France at Twickenham but how many of Martin Johnson’s charges made our Team of the Week?

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Ben Foden has revealed how England have embraced the favourites tag and that the confidence running through the squad is setting them up for success at the World Cup this year.

England need to beat Scotland and Ireland over the last two weekends of the Six Nations to complete their first Grand Slam since 2003 and head to New Zealand as the undisputed leading northern hemisphere nation.

England fullback Foden believes the squad has undergone a transformation in recent times and that the belief the group now possesses is behind their impressive results.

“We are a confident squad who believe we can go on and do good things,” Foden said. “We’d love to approach the World Cup being the top side in the northern hemisphere. If we get these results against Scotland and Ireland it will put us in a really good place come the World Cup.

“We are pretty confident, a relaxed camp. Players are on form and the results are following. We feel everything is going in the right direction. We have embraced the favourites tag and hopefully continue to do so. It has been a long process. When I first joined the England squad it was a bit ropey. A lot of people were learning their positions in the squad.

“Players were learning about coaches and coaches were learning about players. Everyone has grown together and the cogs on the wheel are turning nicely. If we manage to get the right result against Scotland then it is exciting times ahead.”

When Foden was a new face in the squad, England’s coaches were accused of being overly proscriptive and not allowing players the freedom to express themselves.

The rugby on show was not helped by the law interpretations at the time, but England lacked ambition and belief in what they were doing. This time last year, according to Nick Easter, there was “conflict” in the camp over how England should be playing – but that has changed.

Foden, Chris Ashton, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes are among the young and confident characters to have established themselves over the last 12 months and that has been reflected in the performances. Foden realised recently that things were things were beginning to come together promisingly.

Asked when this became apparent he said: “Over the last three games. The Wales game was a massive stepping stone for us. We knew it would set the tone of the whole competition. The big test was France – two unbeaten teams playing in a big crunch match. It was pressure a lot of players, including myself, had not experienced before and to come through that with the unbeaten tag was massive for us.

“With every game we have played we are learning and getting better and better. We learned a hard lesson when we lost to South Africa in the autumn. It could have happened again against France but we showed a massive maturity and showed we are growing with each performance.”

Despite Foden’s confidence, he insists England must not allow complacency to creep into the camp as they prepare to face a Scotland side yet to win. Foden knows that, in a World Cup year, the Six Nations can act as a springboard.

“We have a lot of work to do, we are by no means the finished article,” he said. “Even if we are the top nation in the northern hemisphere, we know that come World Cup time we will be underdogs compared to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

“We have got to ready ourselves for that. It is in New Zealand’s back yard, they are ranked number one in the world so if you want to go there and win you have to be firing on all cylinders. Everything rides on each game now. We know it will make Scotland’s Six Nations campaign if they can beat us in our own back yard.

“We know Scotland are capable of beating anyone on their day and if we don’t play the rugby we want to play we will get turned over. It won’t be hard for us to get up for the game because of what lies on each game as it comes now. It is massive we get the right result.”

The global Rugby family has united as one in a stand of solidarity and support for the people of Christchurch following the devastating earthquake which struck the city on Tuesday.

At matches all over the world this weekend respect will be marked for the victims, their families and indeed all New Zealanders who are coming to terms with the tragedy.

With Rugby at the core of the community in Christchurch, the disaster has shocked the global Rugby family.

A minute’s silence will be observed prior to this weekend’s RBS Six Nations matches in Rome, London and Edinburgh, while throughout Super Rugby red and black armbands will be worn as a sign of support and sympathy for the Canterbury Crusaders franchise, who are at the heart of the community in Christchurch.

The Crusaders have elected not to play their Super Rugby match at the Hurricanes, but the show of support at other matches will also see flags flown at half-mast and collections taken or details given in coverage of how people in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand can donate to the Red Cross appeal.

Meanwhile, the Japan Cup final between Suntory and Sanyo in Tokyo on Sunday will also have a minute’s silence prior to kick-off with the Japan Rugby Football Union to make a donation to the relief fund at half-time with fans also invited to make their own donations.

Former All Black John Kirwan, now coaching the Japanese national team, is expected to address the crowd at half time.

“There are so many New Zealanders involved in all levels of Rugby in Japan and this is a significant factor in huge empathy between Japan and New Zealand Rugby,” said Kirwan.

“With Rugby World Cup being held in New Zealand this year and here in Japan in 2019, it’s times like these which shows the World is in Union through Rugby.”

On 22 February 2011, the New Zealand city of Christchurch and the surrounding area were struck by an earthquake that caused severe damage and tragic casualties.

The New Zealand Government has launched an appeal to help the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury region during this time of great need. You can help make a difference by donating to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

The donations will be used to help the communities, families and people of Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

The global Rugby family have shown their solidarity and support for the people of Christchurch and all New Zealanders by observing minute’s silences across last weekend’s Super Rugby and RBS Six Nations matches.

Teams in Super Rugby and the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup also wore black and red armbands in their most recent matches, while collections by the Japan Rugby Football Union at the All-Japan Championship final in Tokyo on Sunday raised NZ$60,000 for victims of the earthquake.

You can make an immediate donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal from your credit card by providing your details, the amount you wish to donate, and clicking Donate Now.

When you click Donate Now you will be taken through to a secure payment page. After payment, you will be issued a donation receipt containing your details. If you enter your email address, a tax receipt will be automatically sent to you.

Invitational teams from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will begin a special campaign this week as they take on Development Teams from Canterbury, Waikato and Wellington in Round 3 of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup (PRC).

The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup was developed to bridge the gap between domestic and international Rugby for the best locally-based players in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. It has been hugely successful in exposing a new generation of Pacific Rugby players to the rigours of international Rugby,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

The matches will also give heartland Rugby communities across New Zealand an opportunity to welcome the Pacific teams in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011). Many players taking part in the PRC are in contention for spots on their national team for RWC 2011.

“This new format takes the PRC to a whole new level and will expose the best Pacific Island based players to some of the most advanced professional Rugby structures in the world. In a Rugby World Cup year, this level of exposure is invaluable and will test aspiring national representatives from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga against full-time professional Rugby players,” said William Glenwright, IRB General Manager Oceania.

Round 3 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup schedule

Friday 4 March 2:00pm
Crusader Knights v Fiji Warriors
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Entry by gold coin donation (proceeds to the Red Cross Christchurch earthquake fund)

Friday 4 March 6:00pm
Chiefs Development XV v Tonga A
Growers Stadium, Pukekohe
Adults $10; children under 14 free

Saturday 5 March 4:00pm
Hurricanes Development XV v Samoa A
Porirua Park, Wellington
Adults $5; children under 14 free

Rounds 4 and 5 of the PRC will be played in New Zealand on March 9 and 14. Further information on the schedule will be released soon.