NZ | RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

[piles]

Palmerston North and Invercargill are a little different as they offer probably the worst stadiums for this world cup, and for that reason agree that they probably shouldn't be hosts (I'm not convinced on Nelson's stadium either). I can't comment on what there is to do in those towns as haven't been to either place for years. I would imagine though that many who visit Invercargill for the games will make the journey to Queenstown while they are in the area.

However, all the other cities/towns have plenty of activities for tourists. I'm still unclear about what Tauranga could offer that the other centres can't?

I've only seen 1 negative comment from a reporter (in regards to New Plymouth) which mainly seemed to be a few cheap shots because the local media blasted the Irish rugby team for staying in Auckland. Even at the end of the article he said a fair few nice things about the town. There is a reason New Plymouth gets international events, especially for a town of only 70,000 odd. WOMAD, Jack Johnson, R.E.M, Slash, Motorhead, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John....Obviously the town has something to offer.

[Richard7666]

Isn't that the district population, not the actual city? But on topic, agreed. Everywhere has something to do, the main concerns are the shit stadiums in the aforementioned cities. I actually think Arena Manawatu is worse than Rugby Park now, after looking at more pics. Trafalgar Park isn't too hot either now I've googled it. Rugby Park pisses me off especially though, because by rights it should be a decent stadium. Invercargill likes to trumpet it's recreational facilities, but then there's this retarded bloody half-arsed thing. Grrr.

Originally Posted by otumoetaiNZ

Nope just being realistic since this is our international reputation on the line and theres already been some negative comments from reporters following teams around. Putting matches on in inaccessible places isn't gonna bode well for our reputation.

Tauranga has far more things to do that some of these other places that are hosting games. Whats there to do in invercargil or palmy? In my opinion they should keep the matches to the cities so that more people can attend and players dont get bored during the day.

What's there to do in Hamilton? What's there to do anywhere outside of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown (and possibly Rotorua, if you like that stuff)? As for accessibiliy, Tauranga isn't particularly accessible either is it? Can the airport there even handle mid sized jets? The hardest place to get to is probably going to be Nelson, not Invers and Palmy.

Also, what proportion of locals to tourists are the punters expected to be does anyone know?

[KLK]

Originally Posted by Richard7666

I actually think Arena Manawatu is worse than Rugby Park now, after looking at more pics.

Clearly people have never been to the ground. I can only assume you are looking at old photos, like the ones posted here previously - for some reason its difficult to find photos of the ground upgraded (upgraded stand, new seating on the terraces)

Its an all-seater (very rare for provincial NZ) with a great grandstand - its only downfall being the track between the field and the stands. But overall its a nice, pleasant provincial stadium.



I'd rate it ahead of Invercargill, Nelson, Whangarei (other than the fact it has a new stand) and Napier (that ground is a dog's breakfast) and perhaps even Rotorua given its pathetic stand and that the majority of its capacity is a grass bank - but I do like Rotorua's ampitheatre setting nonetheless (and its 34k capacity).

And as for Tauranga missing out, it was - Auckland aside - one ground per region. And that ground for that region was in Rotorua. Tauranga will get their fare share of tourists and no doubt teams will base themselves there between matches for training.

[otumoetaiNZ]

Originally Posted by Richard7666

What's there to do in Hamilton? What's there to do anywhere outside of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown (and possibly Rotorua, if you like that stuff)? As for accessibiliy, Tauranga isn't particularly accessible either is it? Can the airport there even handle mid sized jets? The hardest place to get to is probably going to be Nelson, not Invers and Palmy.

Also, what proportion of locals to tourists are the punters expected to be does anyone know?

Theres plenty to do in the golden triangle. You've got some of the best scenery in the country, beaches, shopping all sorts. Why do you think tauranga gets so many cruise ships? Plus its all in one area close to where tourists lands. I reckon a combined international airport for tauranga and rotorua is the way to go but that could be a bit far away.

Yeah nelson is definitely isolated but like other similar places like palmy and invercargil I guess they've got flights to and from the cities so that will help.

[KLK]

Alot of tourists will be driving too - rental car or mini van - so alot of places (which are serviced regularly by the airlines anyway) will be easily accessible.

I can see alot of tourists driving the entire length of the SI over a week, finishing up in a place like Nelson going north.

Is it just me or do NZers like to make things in our backyard seem more negative than they actually are?!?!?

[Richard7666]

Originally Posted by otumoetaiNZ

Theres plenty to do in the golden triangle. You've got some of the best scenery in the country, beaches, shopping all sorts. Why do you think tauranga gets so many cruise ships? Plus its all in one area close to where tourists lands. I reckon a combined international airport for tauranga and rotorua is the way to go but that could be a bit far away.

That's primarily Auckland and the BoP (and even then I'd dispute the scenery claim, you should visit the South Island), not Hamilton and the Waikato. As for cruise ships I'm not sure, but it's probably a safe bet to say that it's *not* so people can visit Hamilton. Like how Queenstown's international flights aren't so people can visit Invercargill.

Also isn't Rotorua airport basically what you've just described already? Serving the whole Bay of Plenty.

[whooodaman]

Editorial:
By WARWICK RASMUSSEN, Deputy Editor - Manawatu Standard Last updated
OPINION: Auckland is an easy target for the rest of the country to take potshots at. Sometimes it's justified, other times it's misguided.

The city's handling of the debacle that is "party central" during next year's Rugby World Cup is certainly a case for the former.

There's a saying that talks about an inability to organise a decent party at a brewery. Again, that fits well with what Auckland is doing (or not doing as it may be this time).

People in the regions (read: not Auckland) have no problem with our biggest city embarrassing itself. It's when the City of Sails manages to embarrass all of us that we have a problem.

Since November 2005, when New Zealand was announced as the host of the seventh Rugby World Cup, Auckland has shot itself in the foot time and time again, with unerring regularity.

There was the issue about where the major games, particularly the final, would be held. The city, because of its cumbersome and monolithic nature, fuelled by strong personalities and egos, couldn't decide.

A brand new stadium on the criminally underused waterfront? Or a patch-up job on Eden Park with some lip service to public transport upgrades?

Of course, the Eden Park option was taken up, even though no-one is that happy with it and there's no way it's a viable long-term option considering it's plonked in the middle of suburban Auckland.

Now, with the "will it, won't it" party central plan, Auckland's leadership has failed again. What is "party central"? A cruise ship terminal? A big booze up miles away from the games?

It was a bad idea that was poorly defined and managed and judging by announcements yesterday is dead in the water.

Just look at other regions and how they've got on with the business. Other major centres, such as Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin and Hamilton are all on track with plans. Some could host the matches tomorrow.

Auckland's track record isn't flash, either. It lost the V8s to Hamilton and would be laughed at if it was suggested the Sevens were held there. It even lost its top flower show. There is now a risk that cup-related festivals could be lost too.

It's bad enough that the city can be shown up to the rest of the country, but the rest of the rugby world is something else altogether.

Auckland may be the city other places in New Zealand love to hate. A failure next year will give all of those people a valid reason to.

[Snorky33]

New Zealand the rip off capital of the world...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10659094

[Richard7666]

On the stadium front, Rugby Park now has a stand that goes all the way along I see. It lacks corporate boxes at the top though on the new quarter, and looks rather 'unfinished', hopefully somethings going to be put at the top. It also has a new media centre and the terraces are fully seated except the ends of the pitch.

Now I just need to set the old scoreboard alight...

[KLK]

Originally Posted by Richard7666

On the stadium front, Rugby Park now has a stand that goes all the way along I see. It lacks corporate boxes at the top though on the new quarter, and looks rather 'unfinished', hopefully somethings going to be put at the top. It also has a new media centre and the terraces are fully seated except the ends of the pitch.

Now I just need to set the old scoreboard alight...

This the ticket map for RWC2011:



The extra bit of the stand looks temporary.

From memory, the "terraces" only make up about half of the side opposite the grandstand, the rest is grass (like the ends). Is the whole side seated now?

[Richard7666]

It's made of cement, I think it's at least semi permanent. They often used to put a temp stand up but it was very 'scaffhold' looking, this is something different. Still looks like shit.

Yeah terraces are fully seated now.

[UglyBob]

Originally Posted by Richard7666

It's made of cement, I think it's at least semi permanent. They often used to put a temp stand up but it was very 'scaffhold' looking, this is something different. Still looks like shit.

Yeah terraces are fully seated now.

I understand that the seating is temporary and due to anticipated higher attendances for the ITM cup/Ranfurly Shield games. Happy to be proven wrong.

The government did recently announce a $200k grant to Invercargill to upgrade media facilities at Rugby Park before RWC though.

[IHaveNoLegs]

Are you talking about that shitty little stand with different coloured seats right next to the grandstand? That looked awful during the ranfurly shield match last week; and it didn't look very permanent.

[Richard7666]

No the thing I'm thinking of had only single coloured seating. It was unused.

Uglybob you mean the terrace seating is temporary, or the stand?

[UglyBob]

Originally Posted by Richard7666

No the thing I'm thinking of had only single coloured seating. It was unused.

Uglybob you mean the terrace seating is temporary, or the stand?

The stand. See Southland Times 9 July

Meanwhile, Rugby Park's temporary grandstand might not be in operation for today's Ranfurly Shield challenge against North Otago. Erected at the eastern end of the main grandstand on Tuesday, the 1035-seat structure had yet to be inspected by the Invercargill City Council.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-tim...battle-tonight

[darkhorse09]

Will there be 3D coverage at IRB WC 2011? and if so will the main centres broadcast and use latest technology like Spider Cam?

Sky are the main broadcaster so will they be using different angles?

According to the WC site its the 3rd most watched event in the world. This will enhance the Rugby WC for those watching from there sets around the world, and here, at bars etc..

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/wor...spidercam.html

[Marvo]

3D and 'spider cam' are two different things, the reference to 3D in the article only refers to the spider cam's ability to move in 3Dimensions; back/forth, left/right as well as up and down.

3D TV is here in Nth America currently with mixed results; frankly it is only as good as the quality of glasses you wear. Hockey has had some mixed results with it including the world champs, Baseball recently broadcast the all star home run derby in 3D - all in all it is probably where HD was 8-10 years ago; ie broadcasters still playing with it and consumers unsure whether to buy a new telly. (IMO the best part of 3D is the score and player graphics, they play some neat games with those spinning and moving around the screen)

Spider cam is extensively used in NFL and has been for years, though never heard it called that - then again I still hear comms referring to the 'Mexican' wave ... groan. My concern with rugby would be the whole getting in the way thing with high kicks, it is never an issue with NFL as punts are pretty well telegraphed and the operators have time to get out of the way, the back and forth of rugby would be tough to manage.

I would be more concerned with ensuring all broadcasts are in HD firstly prior to 3D.

[Richard7666]

Originally Posted by UglyBob

The stand. See Southland Times 9 July



http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-tim...battle-tonight

Oh okay. Bummer though maybe not because it is ugly.

[Easty]

Kiwis must make room for improvement at World Cup GREG GROWDEN
August 9, 2010

Sydney Morning Herald

MONDAY MAUL

Remember the classic ship scene from the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera when everyone pours into Otis B Driftwood's stateroom?

As the three Marx Brothers are surrounded by manicurists, ship engineers and finally waiters carrying plates of food, Groucho exclaims: ''Is it my imagination, or is it getting crowded in here?''

That moment was re-enacted on Saturday night in Christchurch. But this time it wasn't funny. All week we'd been hearing about how the Christchurch Test was being used as a guinea pig for next year's World Cup tournament to see whether the local facilities could cope with a major international event. The Wallabies travelled via Auckland to check if the Customs facilities would be efficient enough for the visiting teams.

Good to hear, as the Auckland arrivals area can be a debacle. Sure, New Zealanders are proud they are a wool nation, but it doesn't mean tourists have to be herded into a sheep pen. If you can get through the baggage area in less than half an hour, think yourself lucky. And then you have to confront the nightmare of travelling into Auckland where a highway suddenly dissolves into a one-lane suburban street, prompting delays and further frustration.

Can't wait for World Cup finals time in Auckland, especially as the locals are already whingeing that getting to and from Eden Park is as easy as escaping Alcatraz.

Surely it would be better in Christchurch? No. All week we heard taxi drivers complaining about how they had turned the area around AMI Stadium into a ''no go'' zone. The international media were supposedly in luck. They were provided with a bus that would take them straight to the ground. A bus breakdown on the way to the stadium on Test night can be forgiven; not so the disgraceful media facilities.

The press box was slightly bigger than a broom cupboard. Journalists were forced to scramble over each other to get to their cramped seats. One Australian journalist's view was completely obliterated by a double window frame. He knew exactly how Otis B Driftwood felt.

All this came after we had to storm-troop our way in, as there was only one lift operating, followed by a 40-metre bottleneck into the corporate area while one official demanded that they look at everyone's pass. Kick-off was just minutes away. And don't ask us about the celebrations when the All Blacks won the Bledisloe Cup. We couldn't see a thing - as the spectators in front of the glass stood up en masse, obliterating any view of the ground.

No doubt this bleat will bring out all the members of the New Zealand Flat Earth Society, complaining of unfair Kiwi bashing. So I write this with hand on heart. New Zealand is one of my favourite countries. It is a beautiful, spectacular nation, and you cannot find more hospitable people. My family spent two memorable weeks last January travelling around the South Island in a camper van. And that's just one of many great trips to the Shaky Isles.

But a constant irritant is that New Zealand is the ''gunna'' country. They're gunna do this. They're gunna do that. They were doing it straight after being granted the World Cup. Politicians and officials were promising they would dramatically improve facilities, particularly accommodation, so visitors wouldn't have to sleep on park benches. What has happened? Not much.

Now they're saying fans will be berthed on ships, anchored offshore. Are they kidding? No wonder, when confronted by the exorbitant prices asked by the few hotels that have any rooms left, so many Australians believe it will be wiser to just travel over on game day, and take a flight home that night. New Zealand is better than this. We can only hope those who can make something change over the next 13 months get off their butts and sort it out.

[Davee]

The Press





Rugby and city leaders have declared Christchurch ready for next year's Rugby World Cup but some readers and a major Australian newspaper disagree.

The All Blacks won the on-field tussle over the Wallabies, while the city was praised for its own performance – with Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden saying the rugby weekend came through "with flying colours".

Snedden yesterday described the weekend as "outstanding".

"It's not a full dress rehearsal for Rugby World Cup, but there are significant parts that are," he said.

"Just like Eden Park did with the Springboks test a few weeks ago, this has come through with flying colours."

There was a good vibe in the central city after the match and patrons appeared to be well-behaved, Snedden said.

"All power to the people of Christchurch and [venue manager] Vbase, who must be feeling extremely pleased.

"It's no mean feat to redevelop a stadium, but to see it looking as brilliant as it did was just something special."

Despite claims of boorish behaviour from Kiwi fans, Snedden had no doubts the hosts would "rise to the occasion" next year.

"The understanding that everyone does have to be on their best behaviour and look after the visitors will be something people become more and more conscious of," he said.

Police reported a quiet night around the city.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said visitors were "full of compliments" about the city.

"It felt completely safe, positive and very friendly," he said.

Vbase chief executive Bryan Pearson said the 800 staff working at the stadium did a "great job".

"We were very pleased with the way things went and we've come away with a lot of learning, operationally, about how we can make further improvements," he said.

"The wonderful thing is we've got a year to continue to make that happen before we welcome Rugby World Cup fans."

A steady flow of spectators meant no backlog at the stadium gates.

There were no problems with drunk spectators, Pearson said.

"I felt that Christchurch could be justifiably proud of the occasion, and can be optimistic about us being able to step up as a city and play a big part in Rugby World Cup," he said.

Christchurch hotelier Tim Nicholls said the central city was busy after the match, but "sedate".

There was no "boorish" behaviour or abuse from All Blacks fans.

"It was very congenial; in fact, it was almost too quiet," he said.

"I actually heard a comment from a couple of guys from overseas saying, `these locals don't know how to celebrate their rugby'," Nicholls said.

Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said there was a large police presence, but no crowd trouble.

"[Police] were a bit nervous at the start, but that's just because it was a big event and they had put the effort in to make sure it worked 100 per cent."

Greg Growden of the Sydney Morning Herald said "exorbitant" accommodation prices would mean many Australians would travel over on game day and take a flight home that night.

"We can only hope those who can make something change over the next 13 months get off their butts and sort it out," he said.

A Press reader said the atmosphere created by the New Zealand fans made her daughter "ashamed of being a New Zealander".

"The Australians were being booed, sworn at, told to p... off back to Aussie, etc. New Zealanders are not the friendly people they make out to be. They paid alot of money to come here, they wouldn't treat us like that," they said.