Rugby: World Cup's big games set to go to Australia's giant stadiums

SYDNEY - The needs of the New Zealand public will have to be weighed up against commercial interests before semifinal venues for the 2003 Rugby World Cup are set, says the tournament general manager Matthew Carroll.

The commercial division of the International Rugby Board recently advised the RWC board that, from the point of view of broadcasters in Europe, Australia had the preferred time zone to host both semifinals.

The New Zealand union wants to host one semifinal but as tournament sub-host will have little say when the IRB makes its ruling, probably after a meeting in Dublin in November.

"It is a commercial decision from the IRB's point of view because of the viewing audience in Europe and the venues in Australia are larger and therefore generate more gate," said Carroll, an Australian Rugby Union board member appointed to the RWC role last week.

"But equally important are the social issues, in terms of the perception of the New Zealand public.

"If the All Blacks make the semifinals then obviously the New Zealand public would prefer that they play it in New Zealand rather than in Australia."

The final will be played at Stadium Australia but the venues for all other matches are still to be determined. The Australian newspaper has said Stadium Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Ground are favoured to host the semifinals and New Zealand the third-fourth playoff.

Carroll said the RWC board was already working on the tournament match schedule.

"The good thing is that the time zone spread between Auckland and Perth is six hours so we have the opportunity to give a good spread of matches."

Last year's tournament came under fire because of midweek inactivity being followed by clusters of weekend games. The November meeting will also look at seeding teams and prizemoney.

- NZPA