The Rugby World Cup games will be moved to Auckland and other parts of New Zealand as the city of Christchurch still reels from the devastation of the Feb.22 earthquake.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said in Christchurch today that the quarterfinals will be in Auckland and pool matches will be scheduled in other parts of the country.

"For an event as important as the Rugby World Cup we need certainty, and unfortunately the only way to achieve that certainty was to agree to move the games," Mr. McCully said in a news briefing.

International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: "We have explored every option but, unfortunately, there is no guarantee that with just 25 weeks until kickoff, that the stadium and key tournament infrastructure could be ready in time. We've been left with no choice but to relocate it."

The city government of Christchurch is trying to rebuild the rugby world cup venue, which is the AMI stadium, and even received some US$3 million grant from the national government because the event slated in September this year could help revive the local economy. Nevertheless, event organisers were not keen to the big insurance risks if games are held at the stadium.