Christchurch must retain World Cup fixtures

[JJJ]

Not really trolling, although some light baiting may have taken place. Japan would've produced great atmosphere I'm sure given the population and money there, and would hopefully have grown the game. It's nothing against NZ: I'd feel the same way if the RWC were being held exclusively in Wales, for instance.

 

[Penguin]

Well I have tickets to the first 2 pool games & I bought them because it's in New Zealand where I plan on taking an extended holiday from there & taking in another couple of games & catching up with old friends. Move it over here & there goes the holiday!
I hope it can still be held in Chch for all the reasons already outlined. But if it realistically can't be then it stands to reason that the games be relocated to cities & towns nearby.

I know it is unpalatable for many especially those in NZ, but have the games switched either to Sydney or Melbourne or both, it helps that two of the pool games have the Wallabies playing against the minnows which would still not matter too much, and ensure capacity crowds then...

This time, decisions have to be made by the organisers with their heads not their hearts, when financial and practical considerations are to be taken into account...the extra revenue generated can easily go into the reconstruction costs.

I have always been of a thought that the organisers have made a huge mistake to not to get over their resentment over losing the co-hosting privilieges for the 2003 RWC and thus not allow some games to be played in Australia...hence the projected losses for the coming RWC.

 

[Penguin]

Sorry, double post

 

[Penguin]

I think thats a bit of a myth. From what I can see flight prices are no different & accommodation hikes are minimal at best, besides, show me a city/country that doesn't have a price hike for big events. I, for one cannot wait to go!

my mrs is a travel writer, tickets are very dissapointing, tourism is dissapointing. they priced themselves out of the market especially to aussies with stupid hotel and flight prices way before they knew the actual interest. she writes for a cruise magazine, there are a couple of cruises departing here and becoming like floating hotels, reckon if they can keep the games in chritschurch they may be adding another boat to cope if they can.

 

[waratahjesus]

I think thats a bit of a myth. From what I can see flight prices are no different & accommodation hikes are minimal at best, besides, show me a city/country that doesn't have a price hike for big events. I, for one cannot wait to go!

sorry penguiny, i wasnt clear, its the travel packages that are crap, there isnt many actual hotel places as they put them aside for packages they can overcharge for and then cos of the lack of rooms ask for more from someone organising there own travel.

the cruises and private package deals organised by NZ tourism are not selling, they are overpriced and unwanted so far.

 

[Penguin]

Ah, fair enough wj, I never looked into those. I'm lucky enough to be staying with friends & we got a campervan for the rest of the time to keep costs minimal. I looked at a few hotels just to compare and the ones I looked at weren't too outrageous in their rates. But packages could indeed be a different beast.

 

[waratahjesus]

i believe that hotels may have lowered there prices from the initial asking prices due to not being booked. ive been to a couple of dinners over the last few months with Kiwi Tourism, the main thing they reckon is the GFC and also the way the wallabies have been playing. they sold a heap of tickets on the back of the all blacks being beaten in hongkers but said they still are far down on estimates.

how long you heading over for? wish i could campervan, thinking of doing a week over there, got a few friends i can stay with.

 

[dougdew99]

"This time, decisions have to be made by the organisers with their heads not their hearts, when financial and practical considerations are to be taken into account...the extra revenue generated can easily go into the reconstruction costs."

When I started this thread, the point I was trying to make was that organisers should be making decisions with their hearts.... the psychological devastation in an event like this is profound. I think the RWC staged in ChCh as planned would give a great boost to morale... some of the remarks on this thread (not the one I quote) are very cold hearted... in fact I kind of hope the Crusaders win the Super 15... never thought I would say that... that is only if the Rebs don't make it...

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Not really trolling, although some light baiting may have taken place. Japan would've produced great atmosphere I'm sure given the population and money there, and would hopefully have grown the game. It's nothing against NZ: I'd feel the same way if the RWC were being held exclusively in Wales, for instance.

yep, undoubtedly. I think the bledisloe in 2009 proved beyond all doubt that Japan is where it should have gone due to the unbelievable demand for tickets and the unbelievable atmosphere in the jam packed stadium. What an event, oh what could have been eh.

I'm sorry that it pisses you off that smaller nations get to hold something every once in a while. Going forwards, we'll be sure to just sit quietly and say nothing and leave you big boys to it.

WJ - jeez, sounds like I have been misinformed! no doubt this won't help ticket sales either. Those packages were priced at joke level, so it's not too surprising.

 

[JJJ]

yep, undoubtedly. I think the bledisloe in 2009 proved beyond all doubt that Japan is where it should have gone due to the unbelievable demand for tickets and the unbelievable atmosphere in the jam packed stadium. What an event, oh what could have been eh.

There's a bit of a difference between a one-off dead-rubber match between two teams who have nothing whatsoever to do with Japanese rugby and the hype of a rugby world cup in which their national team is competing. If you held a one-off bledisloe cup match at twickenham I'm sure the stadium would be nearly empty too, apart from a few kiwi and aussie expats.

I'm sorry that it pisses you off that smaller nations get to hold something every once in a while. Going forwards, we'll be sure to just sit quietly and say nothing and leave you big boys to it.

We're not talking about just "something". We're talking about the once-every-four-years premier event of rugby, and premier fund-raiser for the sport. That's a lot to gamble for the sake of giving "smaller nations" a go. Personally it wouldn't bother me if Australia never held another one as long as the tournament serves its intended purpose, which is to grow the game. That said, Australian rugby has a much harder row to hoe than kiwi rugby.

Jeez you kiwis have thin skin.

 

[Tangawizi]

I went to the Tokyo Bledisloe in 2009. If the World Cup was held there this year it would've been an unmitigated disaster. Most locals in the stands had next to no idea what was going on, and they ran out of beer after about 50 mins in the stadium....

As it stands, this disaster has been postponed 8 years.

The World Cup in New Zealand will be one of the best ever because so many locals are passionate about the game and have been looking forward to it since 1987.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

There's a bit of a difference between a one-off dead-rubber match between two teams who have nothing whatsoever to do with Japanese rugby and the hype of a rugby world cup in which their national team is competing. If you held a one-off bledisloe cup match at twickenham I'm sure the stadium would be nearly empty too, apart from a few kiwi and aussie expats.



We're not talking about just "something". We're talking about the once-every-four-years premier event of rugby, and premier fund-raiser for the sport. That's a lot to gamble for the sake of giving "smaller nations" a go. Personally it wouldn't bother me if Australia never held another one as long as the tournament serves its intended purpose, which is to grow the game. That said, Australian rugby has a much harder row to hoe than kiwi rugby.

Jeez you kiwis have thin skin.

Oh great the thin skin argument. Effectively ends discussion as all your saying is I'm not allowed to present the NZer's view on your comments. Thanks.

And yes, your right - it is a once every 4 years premier event for the game. So what's wrong with arguably the most passionate country out there about the sport hosting it? You have a problem with real fans being able to attend the games? NZ government has guaranteed the funds raised to the IRB so whats the issue there?

Haivng the WC in NZ won't grow the game, your probably right there. But at least rugby fans, as opposed to coporate schmoozers who really don't give a shit, will get a chance to watch the games showpiece.

 

[JJJ]

Oh great the thin skin argument. Effectively ends discussion as all your saying is I'm not allowed to present the NZer's view on your comments. Thanks.

I'd like to think that most kiwis wouldn't reach straight for the juvenile sarcasm and the straw-man building kit. Although I guess I do think they would, going by my "you kiwis" comment. Happy to be proven wrong though, by another kiwi.

 

[Ruggo]

MR where would the alternative to Christchurch be in NZ? I could only imagine that logistically NZ is already stretched logistically in regards to venues. It should stay in NZ by all means but I am curious as to how this would happen logistically. I don't think Australia should get any of your RWC and should moving matches offshore happen as a last resort I would rather see a game or two taken to Samoa.

The worst thing is the Christchurch being one of the major venues.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Rigghhtt.... ok JJJ, whatever you say buddy.... your the man...

To clarify, I work for a Japanese company and spend about a week of every 2 months up there. I know a few expat players and have regular contact with big swingers in large corporates up there. I was offered about 20 tickets to the match (which I didn't attend as I was in Australia, of all places!). Word from all was that the atmosphere was dead, tickets couldnt' be given away and there was absolutely no promotion of the match. This from a country, which seems to think it has the right to host the WC just by bidding (common knowledge that their bid was poorly planned, executed and thin on substance). Don't you think if they want to prove a point, they would try and host an extravaganze or something, as opposed to putting on an extremely lame event?

Compare this to NZ, which had govt backing, a very professional bid and has been working it's guts off to get the country ready to put on a uniquely kiwi, yet still exciting and brilliant world cup and for me it's no question. NZ has hit a major stumbling block here with a (hopefully) once in a lifetime natural disaster which has killed a lot of people and kicked the whole country in the guts badly. There is a good discussion on here about what to do with people putting in some good thoughts.

And then you've said

I say let them have all of it, even if it's a flop. It's almost certainly the last RWC NZ will have. It should've gone to Japan really, but since it didn't we might as well get full value for the mistake by letting it be as big a mistake as possible.

Sure, call me thin skinned if you want. But if you don't think I'm going to react to the above and other posts I strongly disagree with, then I suggest you think again.

your post was a low blow at a low point in time for NZ.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

MR where would the alternative to Christchurch be in NZ? I could only imagine that logistically NZ is already stretched logistically in regards to venues. It should stay in NZ by all means but I am curious as to how this would happen logistically. I don't think Australia should get any of your RWC and should moving matches offshore happen as a last resort I would rather see a game or two taken to Samoa.

The worst thing is the Christchurch being one of the major venues.

Honestly Ruggo, I really don't know. If Snedden and co think they need Aussies help and want some games there, then I'll be behind it. But I think outside of Christchurch we have Eden Park, Mt Smart, North Harbour, Rotorua, Hamilton, Cake Tin & Dunedin which are ~30k plus sort of venues. I guess some could be moved there. Most of me really hopes AMI is fine and the cruise ship idea comes to fruition or something.

 

[Gagger]

OK everyone, let's move shall we - no need for another round the same block.

 

[Penguin]

Just going for two & a half weeks at the start of the tournament, taking in 4 games, unfortunately the only Wallabies game will be v Italy. I'm mostly taking it as an opportunity to catch up with some old traveling buddies and having a holiday whilst soaking up the W.C. atmosphere.
Campervan & staying with some mates is easily the most economical way to go.

i believe that hotels may have lowered there prices from the initial asking prices due to not being booked. ive been to a couple of dinners over the last few months with Kiwi Tourism, the main thing they reckon is the GFC and also the way the wallabies have been playing. they sold a heap of tickets on the back of the all blacks being beaten in hongkers but said they still are far down on estimates.

how long you heading over for? wish i could campervan, thinking of doing a week over there, got a few friends i can stay with.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

We're starting to get our act together viz a viz the RWC arrangements and I'm actually plesantly surprised by the pricing so far.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I have been sitting waitin pretty much so for a week now for JON to come in with some sort of package which makes great sense for Australia to host a certain amount of matches - as of yet, it hasn't happened.

It if it does happen, I won't be surprised and I also won't be surpised to see/hear the IRB say they support it.

Let's actually see if that happens before jumping to conclusions shall we? I'm not having a crack, but as far as I know, nothing from over here in OZ has been said about it yet and I hope it doesn't. JON is not actually the anti-Christ.