RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011 BID

•  In May 2005, the NZRU and New Zealand Government announced that

    New Zealand would lodge a bid to host RWC 2011.

•  New Zealand's Bid was built around the theme that the Tournament

    would be hosted in New Zealand's "Stadium of Four Million" and that

    it would be an "ALL RUGBY" experience for all involved. New Zealand's

    Bid also promised:

   1.  A tournament for players

              - An environment where players can perform at their very best

              - Rugby facilities that are excellent and close at hand

              - A Tournament based on traditional Rugby values

   2.  A tournament for visiting fans

              - A country that will be welcoming and safe

   3.  A tournament for fans at home

              - Superb broadcasting coverage

   4.  A commercially successful tournament

              - Unique partnership between Rugby and the Government

              - Tournament fee guaranteed

              - Conservative budget - delivering most commercially successful

                RWC ever

              - Tournament clean stadia requirements met

   5.  A showcase event

              - A Tournament that runs smoothly and seamlessly

              - A Tournament that will be media-friendly

              - Stable country and national union

   6.  A tournament for Rugby everywhere

              - The safe option

              - Worthy guardians of Rugby's jewel in the crown

              - Global Rugby legacy

•  New Zealand was granted the rights to host RWC 2011 on November

    17, 2005 (November 18 NZ time) in Dublin.

•  The selection vote and subsequent announcement by International Rugby

    Board (IRB) Chairman Dr Syd Millar came at the end of a day of final

    presentations to the IRB by New Zealand, as well as presentations by

    Japan and South Africa.

•  The five members of the presentation team were New Zealand Prime

    Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman

    Jock Hobbs, New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Chris Moller, then

    All Blacks Captain Tana Umaga and former All Blacks legend Colin Meads.

•  In December 2005, the NZRU and Government announced the formation

    of an Establishment Board, to undertake the initial planning for New

    Zealand to host RWC 2011.

•  The Board included NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs and Chief Executive Chris

    Moller, and two representatives of the Crown, SPARC Chairman John Wells

    and Alan Isaac, Chairman of KPMG. John Wells was also a member of the

    RWC 2011 Bid Advisory Committee and Alan Isaac is a Director of New

    Zealand Cricket. Jock Hobbs was appointed Chairman of the

    Establishment Board.

•  The Establishment Board oversaw the initial planning and preparations

    for RWC 2011.