Rugby: Park closure leaves Crusaders homeless

Destroyed roads outside AMI Stadium. Photo / Greg Bowker

AMI Stadium, home ground of the Crusaders and host to seven World Cup matches, will be shut until at least March 15.

Engineers went into the arena on Wednesday afternoon to make preliminary assessments.

Vbase, which administers the ground, said yesterday the stadium had structural damage, although it did not detail the problems.

More detailed assessments are now required.

An aerial inspection of the ground yesterday revealed liquefaction on the surface of the field and undulations across the ground.

Vbase yesterday described the structural damage as repairable, but said significant damage had been done to fixtures and fittings and substantial damage to surrounding streets and infrastructure.

The news has immediate implications for the Crusaders - who said they were looking for a new home ground for the rest of the season - and implications for the World Cup.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said: "The Crusaders' preference is to keep those matches within the franchise region if possible and the Crusaders, NZ Rugby Union and Sanzar are working through the alternative venue options and logistical arrangements."

The Crusaders have eight home matches over the next 17 weeks to reschedule.

Nelson's upgraded Trafalgar Park has emerged as the favourite.

The Eden Park Trust Board said it would gladly help out where possible, if it was approached by Sanzar or the Crusaders.

Vbase has also closed venues at the Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch Town Hall and Canterbury Arena until mid-March.