The wife of All Black Cory Jane has opted to stay on friends' couches during the Rugby World Cup after failing to find affordable accommodation in Auckland.
Prolific tweeter Amie Jane told her followers she would stop tweeting this week - but, after her husband's inclusion in the New Zealandsquad, she couldn't resist the temptation to vent about the high rates set by hotels during the tournament.
"Omg accommodation in Auckland for RWC is f-n crazy! Tripled in price from week days to weekend! Cheapest like $600! Family/friends=couch lol," Jane tweeted on Friday.
During the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup, hotels have been accused of price gouging. Some are charging up to $1500 a night, 15 times their usual rates.
A standard room at the five-star Langham Hotel will cost $1150 on finals night, about six times the price of any other weekend.
Jane said the prices were remarkable, but she didn't want her tweet to be taken the wrong way, so removed it after being contacted by the Herald on Sunday.
"Although I agree that the accommodation prices are outstanding, I feel it's in the best interest of Cory if I stay out of the media with such opinions at this point," she said.
It appears the price wasn't the only problem for Jane. Many hotels are also fully booked during the tournament.
Hotel Grand Chancellor duty manager Pridam Shetty said rooms were priced at $300 to $500 but every room had been booked on game nights. However, he said, if they had a cancellation they would consider giving Jane a discounted rate.
"Sure we can," Shetty said. "If we had room available we would consider it."
Another cheaper option was the City Lodge which has rooms available on weekdays for $258, but nothing on weekends.
