No RWC semi for Christchurch
February 22 2008
Auckland will host both 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals in addition to the final it has been announced by the event's organisers after Christchurch conceded that it would not be logistically possible to hold the semi-finals in differents cities.
As a result the tournament will follow the same format as it's two predecessors, with quarter-finals spread out and the three most important games taking place in the host country's biggest city.
Chief executive of AMI Stadium administrator Vbase, Bryan Pearson, said they had explored all possible solutions but moving 30,000 people between Christchurch and Auckland in 24 hours was not within their powers..
Holding the semi-finals two days apart to allow time for overseas visitors to travel back to Auckland had been suggested.
"But even in 48 hours our discussions with the airlines have confirmed that it's logistically not possible," Pearson told rugbyheaven.
"The difference in capacity was also a factor, but we didn't even get to that because the logistics issues were the real show-stopper," he said.
"If there was any way we could have seen that we could reasonably have shifted the sheer volume of people either by extra days between games or some other form of transport we would have been out there fighting for it," said Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.
"I think it's a huge shame - however, we're being realistic.
"We just can't beat the geography of the country and the timing demands of the World Cup."
Already in 2007 Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden said holding one of the semi-finals away from Eden Park could cost the New Zealand Rugby Union up to $10m in lost revenue, since the host union's only source of revenue is from ticket sales
Eden Park will hold about 62,000 people after its upgrade, while AMI Stadium in Christchurch could take about 45,000 after its upgrade and Wellington's Westpac Stadium can hold about 40,000 for tests.
Christchurch's priority will now be to secure two quarter- finals and a pool for AMI Stadium according to Pearson.
The stadium is currently recieving a $60m face-lift.
Holding the semi-finals two days appart would allow one team more recovery time, and would thus be unfair according to Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach.
Snedden has previously said the all the major venues would get an All Blacks test however.
Canterbury Supporters Club president Dick Tayler said it was a sad day and another poor decision by the rugby union.
"If I was in charge I would have one semi-final in Christchurch and one in Wellington, then the final in Auckland" said Canterbury Supporters Club president Dick Tayler.
"Auckland is a big city, but it's not all about Auckland," he said.