Rugby WC Venue Update; Japan Withdraws from World Champs

South Island Retains Rugby Matches After Christchurch Quake

New Zealand’s lower half will get a taste of the Rugby World Cup after all.

"We are pleased that three of the five matches will remain in the South Island," International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed Wednesday in a statement."

"We appreciate the patience shown by the teams and fans during this difficult period and are enormously grateful for the support and cooperation of all our partners during what has been a complex process."

Two quarterfinals and five pool matches were scheduled for Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, until its stadium suffered damage last month from a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 169 and left about 200 more missing.

In the wake of the Feb. 22 quake, some speculated that the city’s share of the Cup could be moved to Australia.

Instead, Nelson, Dunedin and Invercargill – all South Island cities – will each get an additional match, as will North Harbour and Wellington on the North Island.

Eden Park in Auckland will host the quarterfinals once slated for Christchurch on Oct. 8 and 9.

The tournament kicks off Sept. 9 and wraps up Oct. 23.

"Moral Obligation" for Withdrawal

Japan withdrew its teams from the upcoming ice hockey world championships, fulfilling a "moral obligation".

Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, told the head of Japanese hockey the decision was sad but understandable.

"What we are witnessing in Japan is one of the biggest natural disasters in recent memory and the consequences of the earthquakes and tsunamis are catastrophic," Fasel said in a statement.

"Although we regret the absence of the Japanese athletes at our championships, this is a time where sporting activities become almost irrelevant. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people who have suffered immeasurably during the last weeks and we know that it will take many years to overcome the damages."

Japan was supposed to compete in the Division I World Championship in Budapest, the World U18 Championship in Riga, Latvia and the World Women’s Championship Division I in Ravensburg, Germany.

"As ice hockey in Japan is concentrated to the northern parts, we know that many of the athletes selected to represent their country and also the officials have been directly or indirectly affected by the disaster," Fasel added.

"We recognize with full sympathy the need of the athletes and officials to be with their loved ones during the very difficult times of mourning and national recovery."

On March 11, an earthquake rocked the northern part of Japan. Thousands are dead and recovery efforts are ongoing.

The Japanese men’s team is 21st in the world, the women ninth.

1948 Venue Saved

Herne Hill velodrome, the last extant finals venue from the 1948 Olympics, will be operated by British Cycling, sparing the site from potential demolition.

On Tuesday the federation signed a 15-year lease and will renovate the venue, which potentially faced closure.

Ian Drake, British Cycling CEO, said "A lot of work still remains to be done but we are optimistic that the future of Herne Hill Velodrome will be secured for the benefit of cycling in the capital and to help develop the next generation of Olympic champions."

A "Save the Velodrome" campaign was launched to save the venue. Among its backers were LOCOG chief Sebastian Coe and former Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.

Written by Ed Hula III and Matthew Grayson.