0
Christchurch RWC Dream Falters
AN ENGINEERS' report due out in the coming days will dictate whether World Cup games will played in Christchurch.
But even if it is given the all-clear, the city looks set to face a massive public liability insurance headache following the devastating earthquake there.
AMI Stadium – which is scheduled to host seven Cup games, including two quarter-finals – suffered structural damage to at least two stands and significant liquefaction to the playing area and surrounding precinct during the 6.3-magnitude quake.
The stadium's management, Vbase, said the results of the assessment would be made public this week or early next week.
"It's important to do the detailed work, so we are dealing with facts rather than speculation," its chief executive Bryan Pearson told the New Zealand Herald.
As well as determining the extent of the damage, the report will also highlight what repairs are needed to secure the public liability insurance required, whether insurers are willing to back the stadium and at what cost.
It is believed even if it is cleared, a large price hike would be inevitable.
New Zealand Prime Minster John Key said the International Rugby Board would ultimately decide if the city would retain its games. Under the hosting agreement, the IRB has the right to do so without consultation.
However, Key said if the stadium could be repaired in time, most of the problem would be solved.
"Yes, we need to deal with accommodation issues and we need to deal with bars and restaurants and the like – I think we can address those issues," he said. "But we can't do that unless we have a stadium that gets the tick-off."
The idea of using cruise ships as temporary accommodation is currently being considered.
Key said there would not be a clear answer for a couple of weeks. AMI Stadium remains closed until March 15.
Christchurch is set to be the base for both England and Australia during rugby's showpiece event.
The Poms have expressed concerns about safety of players and fans, but the Wallabies said there was no plan to change the team's base at this stage
RugbyEnews.com