Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Tournament partners have reluctantly announced that Christchurch will be unable to host the seven matches currently scheduled

Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Tournament partners have reluctantly announced that Christchurch will be unable to host the seven matches currently scheduled to be played at Stadium Christchurch and that, as a result, these matches will now be reallocated to be played at other venues in New Zealand. This follows a detailed review of reports assessing damage to key Tournament facilities and infrastructure caused by the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the city on February 22.

As part of this announcement it was confirmed that Eden Park in Auckland will now host the two quarter-finals originally scheduled for Christchurch. A decision regarding where the five Christchurch pool matches will now be played will be made by the end of March.