Crash leaves rugby fan seriously injured

File photo / NZ Herald

A rugby fan was seriously injured while driving to New Plymouth to watch yesterday's Rugby World Cup clash between the United States and Russia.

Three cars were involved in the crash on Whakapaki St, Urenui, about 30km northeast of New Plymouth, at 4.25pm, police said.

A 61-year-old Tauranga man suffered a serious neck injury and was airlifted to Taranaki Base Hospital, where he is in intensive care.

Officer in charge of policing New Plymouth's World Cup, Inspector Blair Telford, said the game passed peacefully.

There were no arrests but two people were evicted from the stadium due to intoxication and a third was refused entry.

"The weather wasn't overly kind to the Taranaki this evening, but it was still a good spirited crowd and police didn't have any major issues to deal with either inside or outside the stadium.''

The United States beat Russia 13 - 6.