Rwc On Course Despite Earthquake
Organisers of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand have insisted that the recent earthquake has not affected the preparations in any way.??
The country marked a year until the start of the World Cup this week, after Christchurch was devastated by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake.??
But organisers remain confident that, despite the disaster, excitement is building.
??Christchurch is set to host seven matches, including two quarter-finals, but Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Sneddon insisted that the earthquake would not derail planning of the tournament.
??’We are monitoring potential impacts on our planning for for RWC 2011, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest the region will not be able to play its part in hosting this event.’
??Sneddon added: ‘The foundations are being laid for a tournament all New Zealanders will be proud of.’
??Around 500,000 tickets have already been sold for the Rugby World Cup, with 100,000 of those being bought up by overseas fans, bringing in a revenue of £36m.
??The opening match between New Zealand and Tonga will be played on 9 September 2011 at Eden Park in Auckland.
