Provinces begin play for Cup games

Waikato

They will be a strong chance to be headquarters for one of the four pools, but chief executive Gary Dawson insists "you don't ever assume anything".

"I think five or six venues are going to be playing fairly significant parts. I think we'll have a very strong case to have as many games as we can," he said.

Dawson pointed to the infrastructure in and around Hamilton, the city's track record of successfully hosting international fixtures, having what he called "a fantastic stadium, arguably the best specialist football ground in the country".

The capacity is about 30,000 and there is potential to increase that in the next few years towards 40,000, depending on funding issues with the Hamilton City Council.

The Lions game against New Zealand Maori proved the union could handle an event that was a step up in a variety of ways from past tests in the city.


Wellington

Chief executive Malcolm Holmes said the city had already shown it was capable of holding world class events, such as the international sevens, and two games on this year's Lions tour.

"We are quite lucky down here because we have a very pro-active city council. Obviously we have the infrastructure to deliver and accommodate a world class, and sizeable international event."

Holmes said the capital, an obvious base for one pool, would be aiming to host as many games as possible. He assumed the final games would be staged at Eden Park, but hoped a quarter-final plus pool games would be at the Westpac Stadium.

"We could easily accommodate six games," he added.


Canterbury

A meeting on Monday will be the starting point for developing Jade Stadium as one of the key grounds during the World Cup.

Canterbury Rugby saw the IRB decision as a "catalyst" to encourage completion of the ground redevelopment.

"We've always felt it's been half done and this will be the impetus the completion needs," chief executive Hamish Riach said.

He would not speculate on what games would come to Christchurch, although clearly it will host a pool.

Jade Stadium chairman Bruce Irvine said expanding the capacity of the ground would be on the next board meeting agenda, and plans were under way for beefing up the East Stand, which faces the main grandstand.


Otago

It might be Otago will be the loser if Waikato can persuade the NZRFU it should host a pool. But chief executive Russell Gray said he anticipated Carisbrook would host a number of games.

He said the cup was "an opportunity, like all other centres, to work with the New Zealand union to ensure we get our fair share of games allocated".

He hoped Carisbrook would host a pool and get one quarter-final and said the successful cup bid would provide the extra incentive to get upgraded facilities under way at the ground.


Bay of Plenty

The Bay hope their double hand helps the region's chances of getting more than one game at either Rotorua or Mt Maunganui. Rotorua has a capacity of about 35,000 and the newer Blue Chip Stadium in the Mount can go up to about 23,000.

"We'll be pushing very hard to have both represented in terms of getting games," chief executive Paul Abbot said.

He pointed out Rotorua is already geared up for the tourism the cup would bring and that Tauranga, Mt Maunganui through Whakatane and the East Coast have been working hard on their infrastructure in the last few years.

"We've certainly got the facilities and if we get the opportunity to put our hand up for a number of games we'd certainly go for more than one at each facility," Abbot said.

He also pointed to the successful start to the Lions tour in Rotorua.

"That gave us a good rehearsal of what we could expect in terms of requirements to host a game and the feedback came back highly favourable. So we're confident throwing a World Cup in front of us is not going to be an issue at all."


Taranaki

Chief executive Paul Easton pointed to the city's ability to host international events such as the music festival Womad and large concerts and last week's World Cup triathlon as proof they're up to the job of hosting a game or two.

There would be huge benefits for the region he added.

"Sometimes it is hard to quantify what an event like the World Cup does because it just puts a spring in people's step," Easton said.

"Obviously there are some significant economic benefits as well, but people want to be involved in exciting things."

Temporary seating used for the Lions match against Taranaki gave it a capacity of about 23,500.


Manawatu

Haydn Smith calls the chance to host a World Cup game or two the cream on the icing on the bun as far as his union is concerned.

First, they got the nod for next year's rejigged premier division. Now this.

The Manawatu chief executive hopes his province could be a host venue for a country and pointed out, if Super 14 franchises are used as hubs, the Hurricanes is the best appointed in terms of stadium options.

He had fielded calls from potential commercial investors "within six hours of the notification, so the spinoffs were quickly evident".


Hawkes Bay

Another second division union promoted into the premier competition next year, are keen to be involved.

Chief executive Mike Bishop confirmed Hawkes Bay will put their hat in the ring for at least one game. Plans were already in place to upgrade one side of the ground, lifting the capacity to about 20,000.

"And there's a significant upgrade to the lighting after the last ball is bowled in the cricket season, about April 1. So we'll be ready to go in terms of hosting big rugby."

Bishop pointed out the cup is "not just a boost for New Zealand rugby but a boost for New Zealand".