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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Take Rugby World Cup Quarters To Auckland 16 views
15 March 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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With the fate of Christchurch as a Rugby World Cup venue to be decided shortly I thought it would be interesting to look at the alternatives.
It pains me to say this, but I think the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals
should be moved to Auckland. A final decision is due later this week,
but from reports flowing out of Britain's Daily Telegraph, there is too
much structural damage to AMI Stadium and the fact that a decision is
made this far out when there is still so much uncertainty about
Christchurch in general, a decision to move matches looks likely.
The five pool matches look set to be shifted around the provinces with
Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson and Timaru likely to get a game. This
leaves the Quarter Finals conundrum which as a ticket holder I am
interested in.
The issues
AMI Stadium in Christchurch is one of the largest stadiums in New
Zealand with capacity of around 40,000. It is similar in size to
Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Auckland's Eden Park can hold 60,000.
The others are well below the 40,000 in Christchurch, so this means
that either matches would have to be played in Auckland or Wellington
or even moved to another country like Australia. Otherwise current
ticket holders would miss out.
The other issue is that tickets to the Quarter Finals were sold in
packs so that fans and teams will head to the same location no matter
if they finish first or second in their pool. Therefore it will be a
logistical nightmare putting the two Christchurch Quarter Finals in
separate places. I am still wondering what will happen to the flights
I booked.
Auckland
Pros - Auckland has the biggest stadium in the country and so could
give even more people the Quarter Final experience and will not have
any matches that weekend. They also have enough accommodation.
Cons - Auckland are already getting the best matches including the All
Blacks vs France pool match, both semi finals, the final and the bronze
medal match. This Rugby World Cup is about sharing it around the
country. There is also the travel factor with Christchurch a good
distance from Auckland.
Wellington
Pros - Westpac Stadium would be big enough to not leave ticket holders
out in the cold. Wellington is also relatively close to Christchurch
and is conveniently placed in the middle of the country.
Cons - They are already hosting two Quarter Finals scheduled for
kick-off about 3 hours before the Christchurch ones are scheduled so no
one will have tickets to both matches. It would be difficult kicking
people out of the first Quarter Final and then bringing in a new crowd
for the next one. This would take place on two consecutive days.
Wellington wouldn't be able to handle the influx of people looking for
accommodation to both matches. Accommodation is already fully booked
as it is.
Dunedin
Pros - The new indoor stadium in Dunedin is conveniently located in the
same island as Christchurch and there is a great vibe in the city when
there is a test match on. Some relocated pool games could be more
viable. Old stadium Carisbrook can hold about 35000 but it is
difficult to know if they would want such an outdated stadium for such
a big event.
Cons - It is hard to know if Dunedin has room for the accommodation in
the city and the smaller stadium means that about 10,000 ticket holders
would miss out for each match.
Sydney
Pros - Sydney has enough accommodation and big enough stadiums to hold
the Quarter Finals. Sydney is only a couple of hours flight from
Christchurch.
Cons - It is in Australia.
Some people are thinking of alternatives involving one Quarter Final in
two separate places, but it will be a logistical nightmare because the
Quarter Final tickets were sold together. This would mean flying long
distances overnight between matches or plenty of people being unable to
attend.
Personally, I have tickets to the Quarter Finals in Christchurch and
wouldn't go if they were in Auckland unless I got compensation for my already booked flights. It would be too expensive to keep flying around
the country. The other problem is what sort of refunds would be
available for everyone for accommodation, flights and match tickets?
New tickets would be issued for the games, while moving elsewhere would
inconvenience some people, while others would miss out if they move
games to a smaller centre. Auckland is probably the most viable option
with their stadium size, accommodation and access, although they would
be greedy with all their matches.
testrugbytips.com
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