Most of the seven RWC matches pulled from quake-damaged AMI Stadium are set to be moved to the North Island, despite the Government's desire to keep all the pool games in the South Island.

Christchurch had been set to host two quarterfinals and five group-stage games but, after a meeting with International Rugby Board officials today, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully announced the city would no longer have that role.

The Prime Minister's chief science adviser today hit out at earthquake forecasters such as Ken Ring, saying no one can predict when a quake will strike.

Christchurch has been stripped of its seven Rugby World Cup matches due to damage at AMI Stadium following last month’s earthquake, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully has announced with "great regret".

Smoke is billowing from the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japanese media report, after the Government assured a fire that broke out at one of the plant's reactors earlier today was under control.

The latest fire to break out at a quake-hit Japanese nuclear power plant is under control, with the government saying the "fire and smoke is now invisible and it appears to have gone out of its own accord," following a report from the plant

Christchurch's AMI stadium could be capable of hosting Rugby World Cup matches, Prime Minister John Key said today as the Government studied reports on damage caused by the February 22 earthquake.

John Key should just tell people the truth about what he knows of Christchurch's chances of hosting the RWC, says opposition leader Phil Goff.

A secret report into the state of Christchurch's AMI Stadium reportedly reveals it won't be able to host RWC games, a British news website says.