World Cup 2011: One year to go

The William Webb Ellis Trophy will be up for grabs in the Rugby World Cup final on October 23. Photo / Getty images

At 7.30pm, September 9, 2011 the All Blacks and Tonga will open the seventh edition of the Rugby World Cup, at a revamped Eden Park.

We look at how the country is shaping up to host the best 20 rugby teams in the world for the biggest ever sporting event to hit New Zealand.

Stadium has World Cup experience wrapped up
Everything has been planned to enhance fans' enjoyment, from food and beverages to easy access, writes James Ihaka.

The year of the super salesman
With a background in law and sports administration, Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden has been called many different things by many different people, but 'salesman' is not one of them. Until now, writes Dylan Cleaver.

City gets ready for big party
Fan zones will keep thousands happy - and net giant rewards for the region, write Vaimoana Tapaleao and David Eames.

Trains will be ready to take the strain
Rugby World Cup organisers are cautiously optimistic Auckland's upgraded rail network will be up to the heavy lifting demanded of it.

Somewhere there'll be a spare bed
Visitors to Auckland may end up dossing down on someone's couch - but there will be a bed for everyone.

Wealth of quality players narrows window for bolters
The untested but superbly talented Sonny Bill Williams is rumoured to be a Cup special project but it's hard to see where there may be space for him, says Wynne Gray.

Wallabies, Boks placed best to be challengers
Seedings and draws are fickle sporting components. It feels the Rugby World Cup draw is completed way too early but organisers explain that away as necessary for the tournament planning.

New laws will reward brave
Gregor Paul analyses the state of the Northern Hemisphere's big guns as they start to slip into World Cup mode.

Captain Kirk still a lone star
Our only Cup-winning captain warns against pinning hopes on the All Blacks' current dominance, writes Peter Bills.

Modest Eden Park start for world tournament
Fiji in doubt, South Africa not invited as Webb Ellis Cup contested for first time writes, Wynne Gray.

Serious hopes or also rans?
Dylan Cleaver dissects 11 of the World Cup contenders, assessing their past form and their present chances of success as they look ahead to the big showdown next year.

World Cup 2011: Most influential players for '11
Who are the players the World Cup coaches cannot afford to lose? With a year to go before the All Blacks and Tonga kick off the first World Cup match at Eden Park since the 1987 final, Dylan Cleaver assesses 11 players shaping as the most influential for 2011.

- NZ Herald staff