New Zealand Rugby has apologised after a fireworks display at the Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park in Auckland malfunctioned, injuring fans.
Three people in the 48,000 strong crowd on Saturday were injured after being struck by a stray firework. The display was activated at the end of the All Blacks haka.
Two people were treated at the scene and a woman was taken to Auckland City Hospital.
She was treated and discharged on Saturday night, a hospital spokeswoman told NZ Newswire.
The incident was "very upsetting" for everyone concerned, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew says.
"Something has clearly gone wrong and we are urgently conducting a review of what happened. I can only apologise profusely to those who were injured."
NZ Rugby would work with Eden Park and the authorities to investigate what happened, Tew said.
"I have been in contact with two of the people treated and I am hoping to contact the third today, to personally offer an apology."
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said players did not know fans had been injured by the fireworks but certainly noticed when they went off.
"All the computers in our room jumped off the thing and I thought, ooh that was a bit loud."
Mr Hansen had also met with one of the injured.
"We offer our sympathies to those people who did get hurt."
The contractor, Van Tiel Pyrotechnics, was deeply sorry people were hurt, Dr Martin Van Tiel said.
It was working with WorkSafe NZ and NZR to investigate, he told media.
The Waikato-based firm has been running pyrotechnics for more than 10 years at Eden Park with no problems, Dr Van Tiel said.
The equipment used in the display has been impounded for investigation by experts.
WorkSafe NZ has not yet made a formal decision on whether or not to investigate, a spokesman said.
The All Blacks won the match against the Wallabies 51-20, retaining the Cup.
Share
