Crusaders fixture with Hurricanes delayed – Super Rugby update
The Crusaders are most probably expected to be remaining in the earthquake affected Christchurch, rather than travelling on Saturday to Wellington for the Super 15 fixture against Hurricanes.
A meeting last between the management and the players has been totally dedicated to the issue. After hours of discussion and back checking, it was confirmed that the board member for Crusaders, Phillip McDonald is among the 75 victims of the deadly earthquake
and has expired in the shocking incident that packed down the city’s CBD yesterday.
The decision was not being expected to be made until Thursday, but after the confirmation of McDonald’s demise the situation was clear and decision was sudden. The Saturday’s match will be deemed as a draw and both the sides will be given two tournament
points each for the second round match. This final development had the consent of SANZAR’s tournament officials too.
The major push was from the players themselves, who wanted to pay respect to the one who has left them. Damage to the AMI Stadium is colossal, as the foundations are dislocated due to quake related liquefaction. Crusaders home matches are in doubts and their
prestige of hosting fixtures at home field is in danger. New South Wales Waratahs have to come next week and play at the AMI Stadium, which might be a problem too.
Crusaders home fixtures might be shifted to Dunedin, Wellington and Nelson under the fears that AMI Stadium might not be able to stand again and Christchurch might be labeled as a not-suitable place to host rugby matches, even for World Cup, due to extensive
damage to the infrastructure.
Despite the fact, Crusaders coaching staff and players were not injured, they are grieved by the loss of McDonald, who was perished under building for Pyne Gould Corporation.
Hamish Riach, the chief executive for Canterbury rugby union said, “We're feeling shell-shocked and pretty numb by that and we're trying to get our heads around that fact.”
Greg Peters, the SANZAR chief executive said that it is Crusader’s choice whether to play or stay this weekend. On the other hand Hurricanes totally supported the decision and dealt with the situation with understanding.
Peters said, “At the end of the day what we're concerned about are the people in Christchurch. It’s a people choice, not a rugby conclusion. Everyone in the nation is falling in behind whatever the Crusaders' choice is.”
Neemia Tialata, the all Black star and Hurricanes prop, had already expressed before the decision that the game should be postponed and the issue shouldn’t settle down on a draw.
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