The NSW Waratahs plan to continue their Super Rugby pre-season camp on the South Island of New Zealand despite an earthquake which hit nearby Christchurch on Sunday.
Coach Daryl Gibson’s side were climbing Little Mount Peel – about a two hour drive from Christchurch – when news came through of the earthquake.
The magnitude 5.7 earthquake around 1pm (11am AEDT) and hours after the initial shock, Christchurch experienced aftershocks measuring 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 and scientists say there is a 50 per cent chance of another quake above 5.0.
Gibson, a former All Black and long-time player and coach with the Christchurch-based Crusaders saw first hand the devastation caused by the earthquake which struck that city five years ago, killing 185 people.
No serious injuries were reported this time and early reports suggested the city’s infrastructure has mostly held up.
“We didn’t feel anything thankfully, we were up too high,” Gibson told Fairfax Media.
“Hopefully no one’s injured. My team, we were up the top of the mountain at that stage, so we didn’t feel a thing so we were very fortunate. We’re really lucky that we’re all safe and accounted for.”
The Waratahs’ camp continues when they travel further south to Wanaka on Tuesday before they play the reigning champion Highlanders in Queenstown three days later.
Gibson’s side commence their Super Rugby campaign against Queensland at Allianz Stadium on February 27.
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