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Pieter Jordaan
Johannesburg – “I am shattered by the devastation there.”
That was the reaction from the Lions’ New Zealand rugby coach John Mitchell in the wake of the devastating effect of the earthquake in Christchurch.
“The first thing you think about is whether any of your friends live there. My best friend from schooldays lives there, but he was fortunate enough to survive. I tried to contact him on Skype, but could not reach him. I was concerned, but he’s fine,” said Mitchell.
The coach added that he could hardly believe his eyes when he looked at the footage on television.
“I have spent so much time in the central business district. It’s a moment in your life that you are grateful you weren’t there.
“The people of Canterbury are mentally strong. They will use that strength to rebuild the city (that has been badly damaged).”
The former All Black coach expressed hope that some of the damaged buildings in Christchurch would be able to be rebuilt because of their historic value.
Meanwhile, SANZAR (the governing body of Super Rugby) has said that all the Super Rugby teams will express their condolences for the victims this weekend.
“Last week the SANZAR community came together to help those in Queensland and South Africa who had been affected by severe flooding and natural disasters, this weekend we will come together to show our support for Christchurch and New Zealand,” said SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters.
A moment’s silence will be observed before all the weekend’s games and the teams will wear black and red armbands.
Johannesburg – “I am shattered by the devastation there.”
That was the reaction from the Lions’ New Zealand rugby coach John Mitchell in the wake of the devastating effect of the earthquake in Christchurch.
“The first thing you think about is whether any of your friends live there. My best friend from schooldays lives there, but he was fortunate enough to survive. I tried to contact him on Skype, but could not reach him. I was concerned, but he’s fine,” said Mitchell.
The coach added that he could hardly believe his eyes when he looked at the footage on television.
“I have spent so much time in the central business district. It’s a moment in your life that you are grateful you weren’t there.
“The people of Canterbury are mentally strong. They will use that strength to rebuild the city (that has been badly damaged).”
The former All Black coach expressed hope that some of the damaged buildings in Christchurch would be able to be rebuilt because of their historic value.
Meanwhile, SANZAR (the governing body of Super Rugby) has said that all the Super Rugby teams will express their condolences for the victims this weekend.
“Last week the SANZAR community came together to help those in Queensland and South Africa who had been affected by severe flooding and natural disasters, this weekend we will come together to show our support for Christchurch and New Zealand,” said SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters.
A moment’s silence will be observed before all the weekend’s games and the teams will wear black and red armbands.
