Blaze fails to quench Tonga fire

FIREFIGHTERS have put out a scrub fire near Northland Events Centre in Whangarei where the Rugby World Cup Pool A game between Japan and Tonga was held.

The blaze quickly took off among scrub 15 metres behind the stand late in the second half of the match and at one stage looked threatening. But it was quickly quelled and the ground announcer at the stadium told fans that there was no danger to spectators.

The local fire service received a number of calls after television viewers rang during the live coverage.

It appeared to have been started by a discarded cigarette, he said.

Tonga shrugged off the distraction to defeat Japan 31-18 — the losers 17th consecutive defeat in tournament history.