Rugby World Cup team hosts revealed this week
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
December 15, 2009 - 10:58AM
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Martin Sneddon with the William Webb Ellis trophy. Photo: Getty Images
Cities and towns around country will learn on Friday what teams will be living in their backyard for the tournament.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden will unveil the details at a function in Auckland.
Initially, RNZ 2011's structure for the Team Hosting process was provisionally modelled on the system that was adopted for RWC 2007 in France where teams were based in host cities for the majority of the pool phase of the tournament, travelling to match cities the night before their game then returning to their host city the day following the match.
But Snedden said feedback from the participating teams for the tournament in New Zealand demonstrated a clear preference to travel from region to region for their matches rather than being based in one host city for the duration of their stay.
Representatives from most qualified teams have also visited New Zealand to see the centres, facilities and accommodation options available to them.
In making the final allocation decision RNZ 2011 has endeavoured to find the right balance between team preferences as well as delivering against the tournament objectives.
That drive is to spreading the World Cup around New Zealand, to give as many communities as is reasonably possible the chance to experience the excitement of the tournament, and through this, to truly bring to life New Zealand's theme of a “Stadium of Four Million”.
Snedden said the team hosting announcement will reinforce the commitment to ensuring many communities, big and small, across New Zealand, can share in the RWC 2011 experience.
The match schedule and ticketing gives some clues to teams movements and possible bases.
The All Blacks will be in the North Island throughout pool play with two matches in Auckland and one each in Wellington and Hamilton.
As the tournament's flagship team there will be a desire to maximise their appeal around the country.
Australia have three pool matches set down from Christchurch, the Springboks have two in Wellington.
Wales have two matches in Hamilton, Namibia play two matches in Rotorua, Tonga play twice in Whangarei and Italy twice in Nelson.
Heavyweights England have games in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Ireland are in a similar situation, playing matches in Auckland, Rotorua, Dunedin and New Plymouth
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