2011 Rugby World Cup returns to NZ
When New Zealand co-hosted the inaugural 1987 World Cup of Rugby, it not only won the trophy but also international praise for the unforgettable show it delivered.
Twenty-four years later, the world's third-biggest sporting event will return to New Zealand - and plans are already underway to make it yet another of the greatest shows on earth.
In September and October 2011, some 60,000 visitors from around the globe are expected to arrive in New Zealand to watch the battle for the pinnacle of rugby.
Great sporting names
Two of New Zealand's great sporting names have been enlisted to get the ball rolling.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ2011), the company set up to run the tournament, has appointed one of sport's most respected administrators - former New Zealand Cricket CEO and international cricketer, Martin Snedden - to head the organisation of the event.
Former All Black captain Tana Umaga will front Tourism New Zealand's virtual Front Row Rugby Club to encourage fans around the world to come 'down-under'.
Snedden is determined that the tournament will be memorable "because it has a New Zealand flavour to it".
"We want it to be a really good rugby tournament, but we want it to be great as an event," he says. "I don't think the motivation is to be seen as the best rugby nation in the world. I think we want to be great hosts, to be able to put on a really good party."
New Zealand flavour
Injecting that New Zealand flavour into the event will be the responsibility of New Zealanders throughout the country. RNZ2011 wants New Zealanders to 'adopt' international teams as their own for the duration of the tournament - taking them into their cities or towns and making them feel at home.
"We're asking communities to have teams based in their regions," Snedden says. "A team like Romania or Portugal might be based in Taupo, or Blenheim. They will play most of games out of the area, but the community adopts them - provides them with top-class training facilities and accommodation, and easy transport links in and out."
The South African team is being touted favourites to be hosted at Albany, north of Auckland, because of the large South African population living on the city's North Shore.
Spiritual home
Regions throughout the country are now putting in bids to host teams and tournament games - like the sunny, fruit-laden city of Nelson, at the top of the South Island. Nelson lays claim to being the spiritual home of rugby in New Zealand, as the country's first rugby match was played there in 1870.
Main centres like Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin are making plays for the big games - quarter and semifinals. But Auckland's celebrated Eden Park, which is about to undergo a major refurbishment for 2011, will host the Rugby World Cup final at Labour Weekend (22 - 23 October), one of the country's major holiday weekends.
Fan fests
Not all centres will get to host a game, but many will still be part of the action thanks to live sites - outdoor venues with big screens and free access, based on the 'fan fests' that attracted millions of fans during the Soccer World Cup in Germany.
"Big screens are an absolute essential part of the tournament," Snedden says. "The beauty of it is that you can do have them in places where matches are being played, where tickets to the game are limited, but also anywhere that communities are willing to get involved.
"I've been amazed just going around the country seeing just how willing people are to co-operate to make this event work as well as it can."
A warm Kiwi welcome awaits those arriving onto New Zealand shores in 2011.
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