Editorial: Christchurch Cup decision sad but realistic

A dust bowl forms around AMI Stadium following the earthquake, left, and Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully announces all games scheduled for Christchurch will be moved. Photos / Dean Purcell, NZPA

Christchurch had three hurdles to clear if it was to take part in the Rugby World Cup. The first was the stadium repair, the second was accommodation, the third was to convince visitors the city was safe. The first two looked achievable, the third looked almost impossible with earthquake aftershocks predicted to continue well past the spring.

As it turned out yesterday, the city's hopes fell at the first hurdle. The stadium operator could not assure tournament organisers that repairs would be completed in time. It would be remarkable if this were true. If cracks in concrete and uneven turf were all that stood between Christchurch and the cup, the city would have gone to any lengths to repair them.

The stadium is probably a well-intended excuse. It is kinder to the devastated city than a blunt statement of the obvious truth that too many people would be afraid to go there. It is a setback for brave sentiments that the cup might be the incentive the city needs to regain its spirit and get back on its feet. But brave sentiment was not the basis of a responsible decision and Christchurch knew it.

It was kinder yesterday to put an end to impossible hope and let the city concentrate on more important concerns, such as warm homes for displaced people before the weather gets much colder.

As inevitable as yesterday's decision was, it is a loss not only for Christchurch but for the cup, and the country. Without Christchurch there is a hole in the event that organisers have designed to involve the whole country. The decision to transfer the city's quarter-finals to Auckland means the South Island will see none of the knockout phase of the tournament.

Now it can only be hoped that the reallocation of Christchurch's seven pool matches favours South Island venues. Dunedin has no matches on the first weekend when Christchurch was to host England v Argentina and Australia v Italy. Both games ought to go there, though international flights for Australian ticket holders might be a complication.

The Australian team were to be based in Christchurch for the first week of the tournament, England and Argentina were to be there for two weeks. Rugby players might not be as nervous as their travelling supporters. They cannot play in a still-shaking city but they could stay there. Alternative accommodation and training venues could be arranged if necessary. It would be a kindness to Christchurch if the teams were given that option.

Nelson and Invercargill are the only smaller South Island centres given matches. Blenheim and Queenstown are hosting teams for training only. They might be able to accommodate the smaller crowds likely to have attended England v Georgia and Australia v Russia in Christchurch.

There was always a risk that the World Cup would be seen as an Auckland event. Auckland has the hotels, air services, stadium and minimum population needed for an event of its scale. Now Auckland will have action at Eden Park on both days of the three successive weekends. Two of the four quarter-finals, both semifinals, the final and play-off for third will be here.

The International Rugby Board, which owns the event, would probably have been content to see it held in the region of most revenue but the NZ Rugby Union and its tournament organisation wanted a festival that would touch the grassroots of the world's most dedicated rugby country.

That remains their aim. They said yesterday that they were "looking into a number of initiatives that will give Cantabrians a chance to be part of our Stadium of Four Million". All of New Zealand will hope Christchurch can participate in some way. Without it, the cup in this country feels not quite complete.