Super 15 powerhouse the Canterbury Crusaders will receive a New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) bailout to ease the financial blow suffered in the Christchurch earthquake, reports said.

The seven-time Super Rugby champions' 36,000-capacity AMI Stadium remains closed after the February 22 quake, which killed 181 people, forcing the Crusaders to host "home" games in venues that can fit barely 10,000 spectators.

A one-off match against the Coastal Sharks at London's Twickenham Stadium on March 27 was supposed to provide a financial lifeline for the team but attracted only 35,094, well short of the 55,000 anticipated.

The NZRU was now set to give the Canterbury Rugby Football Union a one-off grant to shore up its books, Christchurch Press reported.

The newspaper said the final figure was yet to be determined but could exceed NZ$1 million ($790,000).

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