Deans gets home draw for World Cup

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

December 18, 2009 - 12:30PM
http://images.smh.com.au/2009/12/18/...eans-420x0.jpg The Wallabies will spend more than a fortnight in Robbie Deans's home city of Christchurch during the 2011 World Cup. Photo: Getty Images

Robbie Deans will return home to Christchurch during the 2011 World Cup following this morning's announcement made by Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden. The Wallabies will stay in the South Island's biggest city after Snedden confirmed which teams will stay in the 23 different centres across the country.
The All Blacks will be on the move as communities, big and small, across New Zealand host teams during the tournament.
During pool play the All Blacks will spend 15 nights in Auckland, seven in Hamilton and eight in Wellington as they play matches in those centres. If they qualify for the quarter-finals, they are likely to play in Christchurch.
Australia will spend 16 nights in Christchurch where Argentina will be based for 23 nights .
Among the other heavyweight sides in the tournament, France will spend 25 nights in Takapuna while defending champions South Africa have 17 nights in Wellington and four on Auckland's North Shore.
England will be based primarily in Christchurch for 19 nights but venture up to Queenstown for three nights.
Popular Ireland are on the move too, spending seven nights in Dunedin, six in Auckland, four in Rotorua and six in Queenstown.
"We as a nation are passionate about rugby so it's fantastic that we can bring RWC 2011 to the backyards of so much of New Zealand," Snedden said.
Twenty-three centres - 16 in the North Island and seven in the South Island - will host at least one of the 20 participating teams.
"Today's announcement is particularly exciting for many smaller centres which applied to host teams outside the 13 match venues already named (Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Wellington and Whangarei)," added Snedden.
Ten additional centres have been selected:
- Bay of Islands
- Rodney
- Tauranga/Mt Maunganui
- Taupo
- Gisborne
- Wanganui
- Masterton
- Blenheim
- Ashburton
- Queenstown
Whakatane and Ashburton were two major centres to miss out. Accommodation in those areas didn't match the needs of the teams although Snedden believed they would get some involvement in the tournament.
He was delighted with the outcome of what had been a lengthy process and beleived he had kept his his core aim of making New Zealand a "Stadium Of Four Million".
"We have said all along that we wanted as many communities as reasonably possible to get a first hand taste of this exciting tournament. Today's announcement is a really important component in bringing to life our drea,m.
"It's a great opportunity for everyone. Teams will be able to experience more of New Zealand's rich culture and spectacular scenery and these hosting communities will be able to showcase themselves, their hospitality and attractions to the world."
Snedden also confirmed that teams will use a 47 training grounds across the country.
"This mixture of Rugby club, school and public training facilities will help many communities get even closer to rugby's showpiece tournament as well as giving teams an outstanding platform for their preparations.
"What is really fantastic is that teams and fans can experience our passion for the game in rugby's grassroots where our traditions are strongest.
"For example, Tonga and Samoa will train at one of the oldest clubs in the country, the Ponsonby Rugby Club. Ponsonby boasts an honours board stacked with All Blacks such as Bryan Williams, Andy Haden, Joe Stanley and Carlos Spencer as well as first class facilities at its Western Springs ground.
"Teams will also train at several schools which have a proud tradition of Rugby such as Southland Boy's High, Christ's College, New Plymouth Boy's High and Rotorua Boy's High."
Hamilton is hosting Fiji, Wales, new Zealand, Samoa and Asia1 who are likely to beJapna. Those squads will do all of their trianing between the St Peter's and St Paul's colleges.
"I am confident that all of the hosting communities will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and give teams and fans a friendly welcome, great service and a Kiwi experience they will treasure forever," Snedden said.
Each of the host centres will also be integrated into the RWC 2011 Festival to be wrapped around the tournament, which aims to ensure people around the country have the opportunity to take part in the Rugby World Cup 2011 experience.

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