Even indoor sports affected
SEVERE weather in the region caused widespread disruption to the sporting weekend with even some indoor sports affected.
A leaky roof at the Edgar Centre meant the majority of the under15 national basketball games on Saturday had to be cancelled. The finals and third and fourth playoff games were moved to John McGlashan College and went ahead.
Dunedin Netball took the step of cancelling all Saturday competition, citing significant road closures and widespread flooding. A decision about whether to reschedule or cancel the premier A, B and C games will be made in due course.
All junior and club rugby in Dunedin was called off with the exception of the premier semifinals. They were initially scheduled for Hancock Park No 1 and No 2 grounds on Saturday but both games were played on Hancock No 2 yesterday afternoon in pleasant conditions.
The North Otago Citizens Shield semifinals were rescheduled for this weekend but the South Otago and Central Otago premier club rugby semifinals went ahead.
Premier hockey in the city was cancelled and all football in Otago was called off.
The Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch between the Crusaders and Highlanders went ahead despite a state of emergency being declared on Saturday.
Crusaders officials discussed with Christchurch City Council officials and Civil Defence whether to stage the game, but it was felt flooding concerns were well away from AMI Stadium and would not affect the playing of the game.
A smaller than expected crowd of 10,000 watched to the match.
Highlanders fans were at the game but many did not make it as State Highway 1 was closed at Dunsandel and a detour via Methven added hours to the trip.
The Highlanders team arrived in Christchurch about lunchtime after being unable to fly out on Friday.