20 Mar 2015

Sport: Apia Park will be ready for ABs test

9:17 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.

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.

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

"Things are progressing. With regards to the chikungunya outbreak that's something out of our control but the explanations from the National Health has already been passed on to the New Zealand Rugby Union. Issues with the pitch and safety issues: we are addressing those now and we are dealing with them together with the contractors and owners of Apia Park at the moment. Hopefully the hand over back to us in May or early June will have sorted out everything but at the moment all three parties, including World Rugby, are working together".

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