It was the news many Canterbury rugby fans dreaded - the Rugby World Cup games have been removed from AMI Stadium. The only consolation I can think of is at least the decision was made quickly and now we don't have to fret about hosting 20,000 odd people in a city that lost at least half if not more of its hotel beds following the earthquake.
On 22 February, the question of RWC games being played in Christchurch was raised. Like many, at the time, I didn't care. The Rugby World Cup was in the words of Doc Hudson "an empty cup". It didn't matter and neither did rugby. Lives had been lost and more parts of Christchurch were badly damaged. For a few days it was a non-issue. The Rugby World Cup didn't matter. Slowly, but surely the question started to be raised some more. I felt that it was still a non-issue. But my feelings changed on 4 March when the Crusaders played the Warratahs in Nelson. I watched this more out of habit than any maddening desire to follow the Crusaders. I was also worried there would be too much emotion and the Crusaders would be crushed, especially as the Warratahs had been pretty ruthless in disposing of their first two opponents. And it looked that way for most of the first half until the Crusaders mounted a comeback and basically belted the Warratahs.
If you are looking for something positive to give you a lift when you are down, then the Crusaders are a pretty sure bet. They win far more than they lose and they usually put on a pretty clinical show. This Crusaders team has the potential to be the best one ever. There were people talking about something else apart from earthquakes all of a sudden. Now there was something to look forward to and sure enough, the next weekend, the Crusaders belted their traditional foe 52-10 in Nelson. If they can go on and win the competition, it would be a phenomenal achievement as they would not have played any games at their normal home.
With that in mind, my feelings on the RWC games are they should not have been taken away. When in a disaster zone, you need things to look forward to and the problems associated with AMI stadium were certainly not insurmountable. Accommodation could have been handled. Team facilities could have been handled. It could have been a goal for the people of Christchurch to look forward to, much like the Mardi Gras in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. And the worst bit? We would have pulled it off.
2 comments:
You're right, we would have pulled it off. I still think moving the matches was the right decision, but I completely understand how gutting it must be for anyone who is even the least bit interested in rugby. To use a phrase normally reserved for funerals, I'm sorry for your loss :(
Hi Jenny
I think the emotion is speaking more than the actual practicality. At this time sport can provide something for the population. Whatever, we need something inspirational.
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