While the Crusaders were racking up tries on the paddock in their 40‑10 win against the Sharks, the costs were piling up off of it.
Having thumped the Sharks in the Super Rugby quarterfinal at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday night, the Crusaders will host the Hurricanes in the semifinals next weekend.
Victory over the Hurricanes will guarantee the Crusaders a final in Christchurch for the first time since 2008, when they beat the Waratahs at Lancaster Park.
The Crusaders' administrators expected to pay a heavy price for hosting the Sharks, and unfortunately, they were not to be disappointed.
They had to contribute a third of the Sharks squad's flights from South Africa to New Zealand and accommodation expenses on top of paying just over FJD$117,000 in appearance fee to the Durban‑based club.
Given only around 8,500 spectators attended the game on a night when blustery winds prevented the big screen from being hoisted, the Crusaders will have to budget for a loss.
Although the Crusaders will have to pay the Hurricanes a fee of FJD$157 040,99 , the fact the visiting side will only have to take a short flight between Wellington and Christchurch, and stay in the host city for a couple of nights, will be welcomed by the club's accounts staff.
The Crusaders will take on the Hurricanes at 7.35pm Saturday while the Lions will host the Waratahs at 1.05am Sunday.
[Source:Stuff.co.nz]
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