Kiwi host towns ready to party for RWC 2011
Rugby World Cup excitement is spreading as communities from the north to the south of New Zealand react enthusiastically to the announcement of team hosting venues for the event.
Games, accommodation and host training facilities spread the 20 rugby teams across the country, deep into grassroots rugby territory and some of New Zealand’s top tourist destinations - including Queenstown, Taupo, Rotorua, Tauranga, Bay of Islands and Marlborough - as well as the main centres.
In all 24 towns and cities - 16 in the North Island, and eight in the South Island - will act as hosts, and 47 rugby grounds will provide training facilities.
Stadium of four million
The wide spread is part of the game plan to provide New Zealand’s promised ‘stadium of four million’ to underpin the world’s third biggest event, and means that most of New Zealand will get the chance to entertain the visiting teams.
Each team, including the All Blacks, will stay in a variety of locations for longer and shorter periods - from two to 25 nights - during the six-week tournament that kicks off in September 2011.
Some teams have chosen to spend most of their time in one city, such as South Africa (Wellington) and France (North Shore), while others - like Ireland which will set up in six different venues - have gone for a more itinerant approach so they can experience different parts of the country.
With an estimated 66,000 overseas supporters, along with 2500 international media and 2500 corporate and VIP guests expected, New Zealand is preparing to host the nation’s biggest ever party.
Memorable experiences
There has been intense competition over recent months for the hosting privileges but, with the venues now confirmed, the focus has turned to providing the most memorable experiences.
While the main cities are already well into preparations, the smaller centres can now get on with fine tuning their hospitality brand.
In the North Island, teams will stay in the Bay of Islands, Waikato, Tauranga, Taranaki, Taupo, Napier, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Masterton.
South Island centres include Nelson, Blenheim, Queenstown, and Invercargill.
Auckland
Greater Auckland region will host 11 teams, and provide seven training venues.
The city is expecting an invasion of Gallic supporters as the French rugby team will be on the North Shore side of the Waitemata harbour for 25 nights.
There will also be strong local support for the Samoan and Tongan teams who will train at one of New Zealand’s iconic rugby institutions - the Ponsonby Rugby Club, in central Auckland.
"Many of our members have Samoan and Tongan heritage so we are going to embrace them, adopt them and look after them," club president and former All Black Brian Williams said.
The Ponsonby club is due to begin upgrading its Western Springs training ground soon. Other work already underway in Auckland includes the NZ$250 million reconstruction at Eden Park which is on track for completion by October 2010.
Wellington
Wellington - host to nine teams, including the All Blacks, USA, Canada, Wales, and defending world champions South Africa - is preparing a party atmosphere to involve the one million Kiwis who live within five hours of the city’s main stadium.
With huge celebrations planned for the waterfront and Courtenay Place entertainment district, city mayor Kerry Prendergast is promising to roll out the red carpet and create the tournament’s "most memorable" moments.
The South Africans, who will spend 17 nights in Wellington, are expected to attract a lot of attention.
Wellington will be turned into a footy-friendly zone for the tournament. This will include temporary campervan parks - many in local rugby clubs - and free campervan street zones for the 1600 campervans of rugby fans expected.
Dunedin - Scotland / Ireland
Dunedin - known as the Edinburgh of the South - is preparing to host Scotland for five nights. It will also share its generous Gaelic hospitality with Ireland for another seven nights.
Scots founded Dunedin in 1848 with plans to create "New Edinburgh". The word Dunedin is the Gaelic translation for Edinburgh and former Scottish international John Leslie, now living in Dunedin, says Scottish fans will enjoy its "beautiful beaches, great outdoors, quality waves and ample sea food."
North Island regions
Rotorua - in New Zealand’s bubbling thermal wonderland - is promising a hot experience to the teams from Fiji, Ireland, Namibia and Samoa.
Taupo Mayor Rick Fraser is thrilled his town has secured visits from Ireland, South Africa and Wales. "They are the three best teams in world rugby, excluding New Zealand, and they are coming to Taupo."
New Plymouth - on the North Island’s west coast - will host five teams including the USA team for 10 nights. The Taranaki region is offering a festival atmosphere though some sombre moments are likely when the USA team plays Ireland on 11 September - the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Palmerston North, in the lower North Island Manawatu region, is planning to create party central with some "big bang events" while it hosts Argentina for a week. The team will stay at Massey University’s Sports and Rugby Institute where they will have the benefit of the best rugby training facility in the southern hemisphere.
South Island regions
In the South Island, Nelson - a provincial centre with a strong Italian heritage - is looking forward to turning the town into ‘Little Italy’ to provide a home away from home for the Italian team who’ll be in town for three weeks.
Blenheim, in the centre of Marlborough winegrowing country, will host a European-qualifying team. Though the team’s identity won’t be known until early next year, Marlborough’s international reputation as a wine region should appeal.
Queenstown - New Zealand’s adventure capital - will host rugby heavyweights England and Ireland. Locals whooped with delight at the announcement. Queenstown Lakes mayor Clive Geddes said it was fantastic news because the local communities had "strong historical links to both Ireland and England and I know these teams will be made to feel extremely welcome."
Invercargill - in New Zealand’s deep south - will welcome Argentina and Scotland with the "southern hospitality" that the region is famous for.
"The further south you travel the more friendly the people become and I can assure you that the playoff winner, Scotland and Argentina will be thrilled by the warmth of southern hospitality," Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt said.
More information:
Four million Kiwis prepare to roar
2011 Rugby World Cup match venues
NZ begins RWC 2011 countdown
2011 Rugby World Cup host venues announced
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