FOUR IN PURSUIT OF PRIME WORLD CUP MATCHES

21st July 2008

Wellington, July 17 NZPA - Auckland, already guaranteed the final and semifinals of the 2011 rugby World Cup, has also joined the race to hold quarterfinals and the third placing match.

Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington have all applied to host quarterfinals.

Auckland and Hamilton have bid for the "bronze final" between the losing semifinalists.

Auckland has proposed either Eden Park or North Harbour Stadium as a venue for the bronze final.

Eden Park has previously been selected to host the final and both semifinals.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden said regions were putting forward passionate cases to host these prime matches.

The applications would be scrutinised and visits made to the four regions over the coming weeks, he said.

The RNZ 2011 board will review the applications on August 12 and then put forward a recommendation for consideration by Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL).

The RWCL board will meet on September 3 to make these allocation decisions, with an announcement expected shortly afterwards.

RWCL's stated preference is to host the quarterfinals in two cities, however, it had an "open mind about hosting the quarterfinals in three venues as was the case at RWC 2007", Snedden said.

Source: NZPA Wgtn Credit: NZPA