All Blacks manager Darren Shand says the team will consider swapping their iconic silver fern for a red fern at rugby World Cup matches in a symbolic gesture to quake-hit Christchurch.

The Southern Hemisphere have little to fear at this year's World Cup.

Auckland ratepayers are facing a multimillion-dollar bill for gaining two quarter-final Rugby World Cup matches at Eden Park and a likely pool match from quake-damaged AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The ABs are hopeful they will still use Christchurch as a World Cup base despite the city losing its hosting rights.

I share Christchurch's sense of angst at the decision taken this week. But I commend the IRB for making it.

Canterbury rugby personalities ruefully accept that moving the Rugby World Cup matches from Christchurch was inevitable.

All Black and Blues prop John Afoa has signed to play for Irish club Ulster following the Rugby World Cup.

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 had been set to host two quarterfinals and five group-stage games but, after a meeting with International Rugby Board officials today, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully announced the city would no longer have that role.

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

Auckland is likely to make a huge economic gain should the Christchurch Rugby World Cup games be relocated, Auckland interest groups say.