SANZAR overcomes ash-cloud challenge to kick-start Super Rugby round 18 matches
South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) have successfully resolved the ash-cloud challenge that until yesterday was all set to affect the round 18 matches of the 2011 Super Rugby competition.
SANZAR’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Peters announced the new travelling arrangements on Thursday, June 16. He said, “We are relieved at this stage to have resolved these issues.”
New Zealand and Australian air spaces have been engulfed with the ash cloud caused by the eruption of Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano range. The cloud cover effected the travel arrangements for the four Super Rugby franchises, which includes Crusaders,
Highlanders, Reds and Western Force.
SANZAR confirmed that all the weekend encounters will take place as per the schedule. Peters said, “Obviously until all teams are where they need to be for this weekend's games we will continue to monitor the situation.” Peters has termed this week’s Ash
cloud as the second major obstacle in this year’s Super Rugby competition. He has thanked the team managements, players and travel partners in sorting out the issue.
Peters has also announced the changed team travelling plans for their weekend games. The Australian conference team Western Force will leave for Melbourne from Perth on Thursday morning. Rebels will host the Force at AAMI Park on Friday, June 17.
Super Rugby and Australian conference leaders, Reds, will depart for Auckland on Thursday morning. Reds will take on the Chiefs at the Waikato Stadium at Hamilton on Saturday June 18.
Besides the Australian conference teams, New Zealand conference teams Crusaders and Highlanders travelling arrangements have also be re-done. Highlanders will take a chartered flight on Thursday afternoon to travel to Auckland. Highlanders will take on the
Blues at the Eden Park on Friday, June 17.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders seniors’ squad will travel to Wellington on a Private DC 3 carrier. The flight will depart on Friday afternoon and will carry the team members. However, the support staff will travel on the ferry from Picton to Wellington.
Hurricanes will host the Crusaders on Saturday, June 18 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
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