16 Jun 2008

Fiji weather wrecks grandstand, delays Pacific Cup match

10:23 am on 16 June 2008

The Fiji Rugby Union is to seek legal advice over damage to cars and injuries to a spectator when the unsecured roofing of a temporary grandstand at Churchill Park in Lautoka was blown away by strong winds.

Fijilive reports that the incident happened during heavy downpours at the ground filled with thousands of rugby spectators for the second round IRB Pacific Nations Cup match between Fiji and New Zealand Maori.

The match started an hour behind schedule after bad weather threatened to cancel the match.

Some vehicles parked behind the grandstand were damaged by flying roofing iron and at least one spectator was hit on the shoulder by flying debris

Fiji lost the game 7-11.

In the other two matches played at the weekend Japan beat Tonga 35-13 and Australia beat Samoa 20- 15 in wet conditions in Apia.