New Zealand promises world-class event

New Zealand is celebrating its winning bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011 and has thanked the IRB for placing its confidence and trust in New Zealand to host its prestige tournament.

New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman Jock Hobbs said the NZRU promises to deliver a world-class tournament for players, officials, spectators and fans watching around the world, hosted in one of the worlds most passionate and welcoming rugby nations.

We will now begin the process of delivering on the promises we have made in our Bid, but not before we take some time to celebrate this achievement, said Mr Hobbs, who led the final presentation to the IRB Council earlier today.

Hobbs was joined by New Zealands Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, NZRU Chief Executive Chris Moller, All Blacks legend Colin Meads and All Blacks captain Tana Umaga for the final presentation which focused on New Zealands key promises, its commitment to the meet the IRB tournament requirements and a showcase of enthusiasm from young rugby players around the world to be in New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011.

NZRU Chief Executive Chris Moller said the final presentation brought together 12 months of work highlighting the merits of a tournament in New Zealand, and returning the tournament to the country that hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup.

We brought to life one of our campaign themes that a tournament in New Zealand would be hosted in a stadium of four million people. New Zealands population of knowledgeable rugby fans and our world-renowned hospitality played a key part in winning the day, said Mr Moller.

New Zealands bid was heavily endowed by the New Zealand Government a unique partnership involving the whole of New Zealands Government from the Prime Minister down, and across the political spectrum.

We are grateful to the New Zealand Government for their total support to this bid, said Mr Hobbs.

We would also like to thank the IRB and the National and Regional Unions worldwide for granting us this opportunity and trusting New Zealand with its showcase event. I think todays decision recognises the importance of, and vital role played by, smaller countries in world rugby.

The improved process for tender unions was also acknowledged by the New Zealand Rugby Union, as it created clarity about the bidding requirements and process, resulting in a very fair race for the hosting rights.

Mr Moller then paid tribute to all those people who had worked on the project, and who had the vision to proceed with the bid in May this year, despite past setbacks and widespread scepticism regarding New Zealands ability to mount a credible and successful bid.

When the celebrations subside, we will begin work on delivering on the vision of our Bid to deliver a tournament that will be all rugby," he said.

We have six years to build towards the tournament and we will begin that process in the coming months. Today, and for the next while however, we will enjoy this success; and will also be giving our support to the All Blacks as they contest the final two Test matches of the year against England and Scotland."