Crusaders & the situation in Christchurch.

[HodgoBerro]

So I guess everyone knows about the earthquake today in NZ

Considering we are not sure if AMI Stadium (heard stories of flooding in nearby streets) has been damaged, however coming into a World Cup year it must mean a lot of things have to be addresses as most facilities around Christchurch are damaged including several hotels.

What does that mean for the Crusaders? Their first home game against the Tahs is next Friday (hoping all the players have come out of this unscathed and god forbid we've lost any)

Do you think a cancellation is in play for this? Should they relocate to Sydney & dub it a charity match?

Does anyone have any info on what's going on - especially for next week?

 

[Tangawizi]

I would sit tight and wait and see what news comes out over the next few days. The people there probably have more important issues to deal with right now. The worst may not be over yet if there are major aftershocks etc.

Have you got travel insurance in case it's relocated?

I would be changing my accommodation plans for next weekend to a tent in the middle of a rugby field though.

 

[HodgoBerro]

I wasnt going to the game - however Id be keen to find out what's doing

 

[brokendown]

reckon there is a good chance the game will be posponed

 

[Moses]

If they move the match it would likely go somewhere else in Canterbury, can't see them giving up home ground advantage. Likely candidates are Trafalgar Park in Nelson or Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru.

 

[waratahjesus]

don think the crusaders have home advantage no matter the stadium or country against the tahs.

but agree, there is much more important things than rugby and i hope they come first.

 

[rustycruiser]

I don't see them postponing the match, the schedule is just too tight. With the Crusaders and Waratahs not having a bye at the same time, there is no way to move it to a different week. I agree with Moses that they will probably move the match location instead.

 

[matty_k]

Also at a time of crisis something to take your mind off of what is going on around you is often a good thing.

 

[Muttonbird]

Crusaders suffer personal loss Newstalk ZB - February 23, 2011, 8:17 am

The Crusaders have suffered personal loss as a result of the Christchurch earthquake.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach has revealed one of their board members has been killed in the disaster.

Riach says they've now got to decide whether to go ahead with Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

He says their experience from the September earthquake when Canterbury went away to Whangarei seemed to work okay, but they've yet to talk to everyone.

Riach says he'll be in touch with the Crusaders coaches, management and senior players to get their feelings today.

 

[Henry]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...church-is-unsafe/story-e6frf4qu-1226010472961

"Sydney Football Stadium has been offered for the New South Wales Waratahs-Crusaders clash next week if Christchurch is deemed unsafe for the round-three game."

Gee, how generous of the tahs. Like has been said, it would make much more sense to hold it at a local (Christchurch) ground.
Thoughts are with all in Christchurch.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...church-is-unsafe/story-e6frf4qu-1226010472961

"Sydney Football Stadium has been offered for the New South Wales Waratahs-Crusaders clash next week if Christchurch is deemed unsafe for the round-three game."

Gee, how generous of the tahs. Like has been said, it would make much more sense to hold it at a local (Christchurch) ground.
Thoughts are with all in Christchurch.

I hope if the game is moved off shore that the whole thing is treated as a fund raising event for victims.

 

[waratahjesus]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...church-is-unsafe/story-e6frf4qu-1226010472961

"Sydney Football Stadium has been offered for the New South Wales Waratahs-Crusaders clash next week if Christchurch is deemed unsafe for the round-three game."

Gee, how generous of the tahs. Like has been said, it would make much more sense to hold it at a local (Christchurch) ground.
Thoughts are with all in Christchurch.

as long as the gate takings etc are going to christchurch, is worth offering, its not just the stadium in christchurch that has to be safe, its the streets and transport around it which may not, not to mention hotels etc. i dont think even a local ground, another nz town maybe but its going to be months before the city is declared safe.

 

[MrTimms]

I think it is a good offer, it would be an additional hosted game for NSW, so they could easily donate the takings. the other stadiums Moses mentioned are pretty small, they could probably do it but gate takings would be small. There is a chance to make some real $ for the fund raising by holding it in Sydney.

 

[BRIX]

Just watched a sans commentary 1st hand clip of the chaos. Looks like a fu**** warzone, terrible.

God bless the fine people of New Zealand

 

[BRIX]

While the Hurricnaes have a bye in round three, the Crusaders' next home match is set down for the following week against the Waratahs on March 4.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/rugby/4693224/Crusaders-board-member-killed

The game against the Waratahs has been dedicated as a remembrance match for the Pike River mining disaster, with the Crusaders set to wear West Coast jerseys.

Riach said all members of the playing squad and management appeared to have come through the 6.3-magnitude earthquake physically unscathed.

It was now a case of assessing their mental well-being.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/4693422/Neemia-Tialata-tweets-for-postponement

Prominent Super Rugby players have used Twitter to send messages of concern and support for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata took it one step further by proposing Saturday's match between his side and the Crusaders in Wellington be called off so players could provide help in Christchurch.

Speaking directly to SANZAR CEO Greg Peters, Tialata tweeted:

"Wat (sic) do u think boss? Hurricanes and Crusader teams postpone sat match but instead help out down Christchurch clean up."

Peters replied via twitter, maintaining a Sanzar stance that the match go ahead at this stage - prompting Tialata to urge consideration of Crusaders players with young families such as Brad Thorn, Corey Flynn and Andy Ellis.

"Yeah but can you just imagine how guys like thorny, flynny, Andy and others with kids wouldn't want to leave there (sic) families."

Tialata's Hurricanes and All Blacks teammate Piri Weepu also tweeted his concern.

"Just feel so helpless watching people!! Just wish you could do something in some way to help."

It was the theme from other leading playes based outside Christchurch.

Chiefs loose forward Liam Messam: "Hope our Crusader brothers are safe. Sad day in Christchurch."

Winger Joe Rokocoko, currently in South Africa as the Blues prepare for their match with the Sharks this weekend: "Just woke up on 1st day in africa and just herd abot the sad news in christchch, thinkng of you all, happy 2 hear my sister is safe."

Springboks and Sharks skipper John Smit: "My thoughts and prayers for all our New Zealand friends affected by the earthquake. God bless."

RIP. Stuff rugby when things like this happen.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Last year didnt the force play the Highlanders in Queenstown? It was a smallish ground but had great views. I'd like to see the game moved nearby not to Sydney.

Edit: Queenstown is actually 6 hours from CHCH. Fuck I thought everything in NZ was a 2-3 hour drive away

 

[barbarian]

As much as I think the SFS would do a good job and raise a shitload of cash for the relief effort, I reckon the game would do far more for the people of Christchurch if they were able to attend. There are a few grounds in nearby towns that can hold the game, which I think will be the option they end up going with.

That said, it looks like Christchurch could be out of action all season:

There are genuine fears that the Crusaders will have to find a new home for the remainder of Super Rugby season.

Liquefaction has caused major damage to the playing surface with bubbles of up to half a metre high surfacing all over the AMI Stadium playing field.

Reports are that the ground looks more like a ski field than that used for rugby.

The ground itself is in lock down, meaning it cannot be thoroughly assessed.

However it's understood it could take at least five and a half months before it's capable of hosting a game of rugby.

Shitty news, but far from the worst thing they are dealing with at the moment I'm sure.

 

[MrTimms]

Edit: Queenstown is actually 6 hours from CHCH. Fuck I thought everything in NZ was a 2-3 hour drive away

Distance wise it is, but the roads are not very fast, and the terrain too, so it takes time.

 

[HodgoBerro]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...church-is-unsafe/story-e6frf4qu-1226010472961

"Sydney Football Stadium has been offered for the New South Wales Waratahs-Crusaders clash next week if Christchurch is deemed unsafe for the round-three game."

Gee, how generous of the tahs. Like has been said, it would make much more sense to hold it at a local (Christchurch) ground.
Thoughts are with all in Christchurch.

I hope if the game is moved off shore that the whole thing is treated as a fund raising event for victims.

The game in christchurch was initially to be a charity match for the Pike River Miners. I'd be happy to see the Cru here at SFS. (big Dan
Carter fan)

What SANZAR should do, is make a decision on what to do - as it's mighty generous of the NSWRU to offer a relocation.

 

[The Mayor of Perth]

Last year didnt the force play the Highlanders in Queenstown? It was a smallish ground but had great views. I'd like to see the game moved nearby not to Sydney.

Edit: Queenstown is actually 6 hours from CHCH. Fuck I thought everything in NZ was a 2-3 hour drive away

Less than an hour's flight from Christchurch for Crusaders, Tahs can fly directly to Queenstown. Force have played there twice (for two wins). Given that the game is already a 'disaster relief' match for Pike River mine tragedy it can only be tough mentally for all Kiwis, including players. As others have said, all thoughts are with our Kiwi mates. Let's hope Christchurch RWC games can be played and be a catalyst to re-building.