Hamilton sure they'll get it right for Rugby World Cup

Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. Photo / Christine Cornege

Pressure is on Hamilton to get it right on Friday when all eyes turn to the city as it hosts the All Blacks versus Japan Rugby World Cup match at Waikato Stadium.

After Friday's chaos in Auckland, the Hamilton City Council plans to hold last-minute meetings with police tomorrow to ensure all will be perfect for the three matches in Waikato.

About 17,000 visitors are expected to travel to the city for each of the games, including Friday night's test. Just 500 tickets remain for that in the 29,000-capacity stadium.

Jason Macklow, who owns a number of city bars, sent someone from his CBD Corner Pub down to Wellington at the weekend to observe the Welsh visitors. "He's coming back with stories of 'we need more beer'."

Mr Macklow said they'd already ordered twice their normal stock and would put in another order to be safe, especially of the Welsh brew Brains.

Both his House on Hood and CBD bars would open an hour earlier and were gearing up to serve set breakfasts and beer from 9am.

"The Welsh will be there all day and through the night. [Saturday] will be a massive day," Mr Macklow said. "We're normally at capacity but we'll be at capacity for a long time."

Prime Minister John Key and an entourage of about 350 would also be at the House bar before Friday's game.

Waikato police communications manager Andrew McAlley said the force was boosting officer numbers because it expected similar crowds to those at the annual V8 Supercars event and the 2005 Lions tour. "We'll have a highly visible enhanced profile on the streets."

Mr McAlley said the district never released staffing numbers, for operational security reasons.

"The message is the same for summer policing and the V8s - come to town, go to the events, have a good time but not at the expense of others."

Laurie Weake, who owns the Gravity and Limestone bars, is getting ready for bumper crowds on Friday night and is increasing his staffing by about 30 per cent.

"I did my due diligence on TV - it's going to be a lot of fun. There's a lot of enthusiasm around everywhere - look at the waterfront."

Mr Weake estimates about 80 per cent of people at the match will shift into town afterwards and is expecting 4000 people from out of town to stay for the city's nightlife.

Hamilton's Ruby World Cup ambassador, Peter Bos, said the city had proved it could handle big crowds well. "We're aware of Auckland's experience and we're meeting again with other agencies this week just to go over some of our plans."

Discussions last week between the council, police, Waikato District Health Board and bar staff had centred on dealing with drunk people.

The council is urging people to walk in or catch public transport on Friday, but isn't expecting crowds of the size that flooded Auckland's CBD.

Ten extra security staff will be in the Alexandra St fanzone where there will be live bands and fans can see the match on a big screen.

"We want the fanzone to be comfortable and family-friendly," Mr Bos said, "so we won't be cramming people in."

Traffic info

* Streets around Waikato Stadium, including parts of Mill, Tristram, Seddon, Abbotsford and Rostrevor Sts, will be closed for up to four hours before all three games.

* Extra bus services will be put on after the Wales v Samoa game on Sunday and the Wales vs Fiji game on October 2 due to the match times.

* A rugby shuttle will also run in a loop along Anglesea, Knox, Victoria and Liverpool Sts for every match, an hour before and after the games.