The Rugby World Cup is less than half-full with four months to go, following setbacks in Christchurch - but ticket sales to overseas visitors have exceeded expectations.

One single aspect that is likely to dominate the forthcoming Rugby World is the scrum.

The New Zealand Rugby Union believes it loses about $12 million in World Cup years.

Finding an easy park near stadium gets more difficult.

A decision on the reallocation of rugby World Cup pool matches is close.

And then there were 12. Even staunch Cantab and Wallaby coach Robbie Deans was pragmatic enough to accept he would not bring his side to Christchurch

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 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".

An announcement on whether Rugby World Cup games can be held in Christchurch is expected at

Prime Minister John Key has hit back at a British rugby writer who has declared there's no way Rugby World Cup matches can be held in Christchurch.

Police tonight named 12 more people who died in last month's Christchurch earthquake. Meanwhile, The people of Christchurch remain nervous about the future of rugby World Cup games in their earthquake-ravaged city.

The playing surface is rippled and bulging with patches of sludge. Concrete structures are cracked and dislodged.

The Government will have initial reports on whether AMI Stadium in Christchurch could be used for Rugby World Cup games by the end of the week.

Engineering reports expected in coming days on Christchurch's earthquake-damaged AMI Stadium will dictate whether the city can play host to the Rugby World Cup.