20 Mar 2015

Apia Park to be ready a month from ABs Test

11:40 am on 20 March 2015

The Samoa Rugby Union says it is addressing concerns at Apia Park in the lead-up to July's historic Test against the All Blacks, and expects the ground will be ready at least a month in advance.

Apia Park

Apia Park Photo: Samoa Travel

New Zealand Rugby visited Samoa last month and raised issues with the drainage at the ground, while an outbreak of the Chikungunya virus had also been of concern.

Samoa Rugby Union interim CEO Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i says they're working with New Zealand and World Rugby staff to meet the required deadlines.

Faleomavaega says the Chikungunya virus is out of their hands, but the health authorities have been in touch with New Zealand Rugby.

He says issues with the pitch and safety issue are being dealt with now and he expects the ground to be handed back to them by late May or early June.

Faleomavaega says another New Zealand delegation, including All Blacks manager Darren Shand, will visit Apia before the July test.

The capacity for Apia Park is 12,000 and up to 40 percent of those will be available to New Zealanders.

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