Anzac Test to return to Christchurch in 2012

League Anzac Test to return to Christchurch in 2012 Christchurch loses rugby league Anzac Test Benji Marshall believes it's Tigers' year League identities arrested in betting scandal Todd Carney vows to stick to recovery plan Ex Socceroo Bosnich to play in charity match Tandy denies false betting evidence charges Benji Marshall pledges earthquake support Come with a plan, Gallop tells Carney Todd Carney's fate decided on Friday Canterbury rugby league chiefs are "very disappointed" to lose the Anzac test in May but are delighted it will be held in Christchurch next year.

The May 6 match set down for AMI Stadium between the world champion Kiwis and Australia was yesterday shifted to Gold Coast's Skilled Park to give Christchurch more time to recover from last week's devastating earthquake.

It continues the string of high-profile sporting events shifted from Christchurch, including harness racing's Interdominion series and two Crusaders Super 15 matches.

But the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) and Australian Rugby League (ARL) have pledged to return the Anzac test to Christchurch in 2012 "when AMI Stadium and the city itself can capitalise on the benefits of hosting the international", NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle said.

That promise was "a ray of light on the horizon" for Canterbury Rugby League general manager Graeme Sole.

"We're very disappointed [to lose this year's game], but under the circumstances I don't think they had a lot of choice," he said.

"But we are delighted that it will be back here in 12 months' time."

Doyle said the NZRL's thoughts were with the people of Canterbury and accepted "the priority for them now is to somehow get their lives back together and the valuable resources they have on call need to be focused on trying to rebuild [Christchurch].

"We are conscious that there are a lot of people hurting at the moment in Christchurch, as well as many in Queensland who are still coming to terms with the devastation of recent floods, and the test will certainly include a number of fundraising efforts."

To accommodate the venue change, the Warriors' round nine match against the Titans, which was scheduled to be played at Mount Smart Stadium, has been moved to Skilled Park.

The corresponding match between the two teams in round 18 will move from Skilled Park to Mount Smart.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/