RWC 2011 New Zealand

[chief]

As the tournament closes in, I thought I would start this as a kind of development thing.

I will start by saying, that I'm disapointed NZ were selected to host this RWC. Only having a 60,000 stadium for the event isn't really big enough, and to me doesn't really provide a International spectacle. More concerns is that they really only have 3 world class stadiums, I do struggle to call them 'World Class' as well. I know this isn't a Soccer World Cup, but I can see crowd attendances being low. Accomodation being scarce, hopefully I'm wrong. They don't really even have a steady transport system. I understand why Australia didn't get any games. But they should have at least got a few. Because it is very disapointing and scary, that NZ is hosting one of the bigger sporting events in the world.

Mind you I'm seriously considering going over in 2011 for the Australia verse Ireland game at Eden Park.

 

[Scarfman]

That's all true of course, and maybe NZL won't hold the tournament ever again. But you can't deny their rugby credentials.

I'm hoping to go over. NTA and I were chatting about the logistics. You fly into Auckland, drive down through Waikato country to Wellington. Fly to Xchurch.

Red Beard would be our host in Waikato, maybe organise a game of touch or golden oldies rugby with the guys from the Silver Whatsit.

 

[Spook]

The lack of accomodation is a real worry for me. I'd love to go over for it but I can't see myself being able to get tickets and/or accomodation.

 

[Scarfman]

Why's that?

 

[Spook]

Why's that?

I just think they'll be a scare commodity and as a result the prices will be ridiculous.

 

[chief]

Tickets are meant to be very very pricey. My mistake they only will have 2 world class stadiums, one being AMI Stadium, and Eden Park. Wellington's stadium I feel is not world class. They are bringing ships as accommodation because the country simply will not be able to handle it. The fact that NZ relies purely on buses for Public Transport is a big worry, this tournament would surely have been better off be shared with Australia, at least the pool games. Obviously NZ are too proud to share it with us. But surely the IRB would have had some sense and done something about this. Because I'm really thinking that this is poor form.

Australia vs Ireland on September 17th 2011 at Eden Park. Definitely contemplating going, as it will be a tough match for the Aussies. Will probably attempt to go to the Samoa verses Fiji game at Eden Park too which is a week later, or maybe I might go travelling interstate. I'll have to obviously decide by next year though because I'm sure that game will be sold out.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

there are a few concerns for sure, but don't you think this thread is a bit 2008 ish? Let me guess, you think it should have gone to Japan? so it could be a corporate RWC full of people who don't even care about it?

I salute the IRB for this decison to be honest. I expect the RWC in NZ to be full of rugby tragics who want to make the pilgramage down there to one of the few rugby heartland countries. Accomodation may be scarce, but there seems to be some fairly heavy active problem-solving going on around it. Besides, the only people who will need to pay for expensive accomodation will be those corporates who don't have places to stay in NZ & who cares about them? I know of about 15 people who are going down from HK / UK and most of them have sorted out accomodation with friends & other sources. Be creative, be inventive, utilise your club's contacts and you won't have an issue in the slightest.

I think it's going to be great. A truly different style world class sporting event & those who choose not to go due to concerns raised/spread by John O'Neill & co are going to the one's missing out. NZ is full of the Red Beard types who cannot wait to raise a glass, put you up and enjoy your company. Even my parents & lots of their friends are opening up their beach house and house to many an overseas guest to hear their stories, share a beer/whiskey and generally just chat rugby to people from other parts of the world.

Regarding ticket prices, they have already been released. And I can inform you that you can get tickets to the final for cheaper than the 150 EUR face value I paid for a certain QF which left me heart broken!

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

The fact that NZ relies purely on buses for Public Transport is a big worry, this tournament would surely have been better off be shared with Australia, at least the pool games. Obviously NZ are too proud to share it with us. But surely the IRB would have had some sense and done something about this. Because I'm really thinking that this is poor form.
.

Rubbish. Your thinking from an incredibly selfish point of view there. Australia did no favours for NZ in 2003 where I'm the first to admit our administrators got it wrong. They & J'ON pushed it for themselves and themselves only.

O'Neill has shown his cards to be all about himself time and time again - he even publically got behind Japan for this vote. Why on earth would NZ look to open up this tournament to sharing with him?

Too Proud? I don't think so. Too smart.

 

[cyclopath]

The fact that NZ relies purely on buses for Public Transport is a big worry, this tournament would surely have been better off be shared with Australia, at least the pool games. Obviously NZ are too proud to share it with us. But surely the IRB would have had some sense and done something about this. Because I'm really thinking that this is poor form.
.

Rubbish. Your thinking from an incredibly selfish point of view there. Australia did no favours for NZ in 2003 where I'm the first to admit our administrators got it wrong. They & J'ON pushed it for themselves and themselves only.

O'Neill has shown his cards to be all about himself time and time again - he even publically got behind Japan for this vote. Why on earth would NZ look to open up this tournament to sharing with him?

Too Proud? I don't think so. Too smart.

I'm with you there, MR. Although many of the one-eyed Kiwis who claim that 2003 going only to OZ was nothing at all to do with their own daft administrators get up my nose. Much easier to blame the bogeyman for everything, rather than face the uncomfortable facts. In any event, there was no way in this wide world that Oz was ever going to get a part in this one, and neither should they.
In a similar vein, I do get annoyed with the UK-based bids (despite being nominally England or Wales, or even the non-UK France one) ending up as de facto home RWCs for all the others, without them actually doing anything to "win" the bid; they all still get their home games. Hasn't actually helped them win one there though!
RWC 2011 will be great because of all the reasons MR outlines above - true rugby tragics hosting in smaller venues works for me because they'll be full, and I reckon the atmosphere will be great. Hope to get there. We have to accept some cost in ticket prices, it is a world sporting event, not the picnic races.

 

[Scarfman]

Seriously, how much can a twin-bed motel room cost? For two, if they don't mind my snoring and some muffled screams of pleasure coming from my beer wench du jour.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Seriously, how much can a twin-bed motel room cost? For two, if they don't mind my snoring and some muffled screams of pleasure coming from my beer wench du jour.

Normally around 100-150 NZD depending on where you are... I'd probably guess double during RWC though.

Go the networking option, it'll be much more fun & you'll meet more interesting people. And of course, avoid the potential shit fight which may or may not happen!

 

[chief]

Meant to be very dear for accommodation in NZ around that time, understandable though. I was initially hoping that NZ would improve some infrastructure for this cup, but I don't feel they have done enough. For me what I'm saying is that it is a good thing that NZ get some games, but they aren't the type of country who can withstand this cup solely. They are going to lose money from it. However it will be good for all rugby fanatics all around the world to gather in one of rugby's heartlands.

 

[Blue]

Meant to be very dear for accommodation in NZ around that time, understandable though. I was initially hoping that NZ would improve some infrastructure for this cup, but I don't feel they have done enough. For me what I'm saying is that it is a good thing that NZ get some games, but they aren't the type of country who can withstand this cup solely. They are going to lose money from it. However it will be good for all rugby fanatics all around the world to gather in one of rugby's heartlands.

With all due respect you're being full of shit.

The only possible criticism will be the stadiums and you know what? It's good enough. There's no Millenium stadium, Twickers etc but for the rest I think the Kiwis will pull off a great World Cup. They will deal with the tourists well. It's something they already do a good job with. People are going to have a ball in between games.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

I salute the IRB for this decison to be honest. I expect the RWC in NZ to be full of rugby tragics who want to make the pilgramage down there to one of the few rugby heartland countries. Accomodation may be scarce, but there seems to be some fairly heavy active problem-solving going on around it.

Reckon it's great that NZ are doing it on their own, looks like there will be plenty of rugby in some of the smaller towns that would never see these kind of games and everyone will have a great time. After JON's stunt in 2003 why would they flick any games to Aus? Pool games would get about the same attendance as a S14 dead rubber anyway...

We all know a few kiwis, and bludging a room (for a few beers!) is payback time for all the years of shitstirring - I've got my accommodation sorted aready! Lot more fun than staying in a hotel anyway.

 

[Pfitzy]

It might well be the last time either NZ or OZ can host a RWC with the increase in asking fees. We've got a few more stadia sure, and we did a great job in 2003, but the upfront required by the IRB is starting to look a little exy.

As for those worrying about motel beds - not even bro!

http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-safari.html

My mate has one and its the shit! String it up from a couple of trees, poles, or even someone's car! Half-decent sleeping bag and you're protected from the variable weather you can sometimes get in NZ. Also quite light and can fit into a backpack easily along with a change of clothes (and whatever hair product the backs can fit). If no suitably strong poles are present it can be set up as a tent too.

As touched on by Scarfty: fly into Orcland then hire a minibus (depending on numbers) to head over to Waikato where we'll hook up with RedBeard and whatever fun and merriment he has planned. Drive down to Welly, then fly to ChCh and catch an Aussie game at the stadium if at all possible, or maybe some training sessions and then head to the pub. Definitely book in for some games against the minnows. That way we can get a taste but fly out before it gets stupid.

 

[Gagger]

Seriously, how much can a twin-bed motel room cost? For two, if they don't mind my snoring and some muffled screams of pleasure coming from my beer wench du jour.

Normally around 100-150 NZD depending on where you are... I'd probably guess double during RWC though.

Go the networking option, it'll be much more fun & you'll meet more interesting people. And of course, avoid the potential shit fight which may or may not happen!

I suspect Scarfie will have to pay a fair bit more for a guaranteed beer wench shit fight. But hey, I'm not judging...

 

[Scarfman]

Twin beds, one cup?

 

[cyclopath]

Seriously, how much can a twin-bed motel room cost? For two, if they don't mind my snoring and some muffled screams of pleasure coming from my beer wench du jour.

Normally around 100-150 NZD depending on where you are... I'd probably guess double during RWC though.

Go the networking option, it'll be much more fun & you'll meet more interesting people. And of course, avoid the potential shit fight which may or may not happen!

I suspect Scarfie will have to pay a fair bit more for a guaranteed beer wench shit fight. But hey, I'm not judging...

Comments from afar, from those that know not, mean little. Scarfy can start a shit fight anywhere. Come on down, and book a seat on the Scarf Bus, Gagger! It'll be fun.

 

[naza]

The lack of accomodation is a real worry for me. I'd love to go over for it but I can't see myself being able to get tickets and/or accomodation.

Its not like the 2007 RWC was much better.

Cardiff had no accomodation, so half of Europe (including poor Naza) travelled in on the day on trains from London packed like they were destined for auschwitz. The wait for the trains back was, no exaggeration, 3 hours. What a clusterfuck.

For the Scotland-NZ game, I reckon I snapped up the last room in Edinburgh, which doesn't have a lot of accomodation either.

 

[Scarfman]

Comments from afar, from those that know not, mean little. Scarfy can start a shit fight anywhere. Come on down, and book a seat on the Scarf Bus, Gagger! It'll be fun.

I've gone drinking with Gagger, too. It was one of our associates who got into trouble with The Smallest Bouncer in the World. I was the voice of reason. The gesticulating, shouting, voice of reason.