Pre-match fireworks canned after injuries

Three people were hurt during the pyrotechnics display before the All Blacks v Wallabies match at...
Three people were hurt during the pyrotechnics display before the All Blacks v Wallabies match at Eden Park on Saturday. Photo Getty

All Blacks fans will have to settle for fireworks after the whistle in home games for the rest of the season.

The NZRU has canned planned displays against Argentina and South Africa after pre-kick-off pyrotechnics at Eden Park on Saturday injured three people.

Chief executive Steve Tew said displays for the All Blacks games against the Pumas in Napier on September 6 and Springboks in Wellington the following week were on hold pending an investigation.

The injured trio were sitting in Eden Park's southwestern stand.

A woman was taken to Auckland City Hospital with head injuries.

Mr Tew invited the other two victims on to the field for the presentation of the Bledisloe Cup. One took up the offer with his mates.

The woman was discharged from hospital on Saturday night.

All Blacks wing Cory Jane said he heard the fireworks but didn't see the aftermath.

"There was a big bang. I was watching the Aussie guys and they started shaking because it was loud."

The display was created by Van Tiel Pyrotechnics, contracted to the NZRU to provide part of its pre-match entertainment.

Owner Dr Martin Van Tiel said the company was extremely distressed by the incident, which was unprecedented in its 20 years.

"We sincerely apologise to the spectators that got hurt."

The company is working with Worksafe New Zealand and the NZRU to find out what went wrong.

Eden Park chief executive David Kennedy said all pyrotechnic displays at the ground were on hold pending the outcome of the investigation.

- James Ihaka of the NZ Herald

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