KEY POINTS:
Auckland is going head-to-head with Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington to host either the quarter-final or the bronze final matches for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The prize is the chance of using the world's third-largest sporting event to showcase their cities to a worldwide audience.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said last night that Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington have applied to host quarter-final matches and Auckland and Hamilton have lodged proposals to host the bronze final.
The latter is the match for third place featuring the two losing semifinalists which was played on the eve of the final at last year's World Cup. Auckland proposes either Eden Park or North Harbour Stadium as the bronze final venue.
The region has already been confirmed by RNZ 2011 as the venue for the final and semifinals at Eden Park, which is being expanded to a 60,000 capacity for the cup.
But it is also bidding for the opening ceremony, the opening match and maybe more. It is still working through the details of a bid for pool matches and team bases.
Training venues could be North Harbour, The Trusts Stadium, Onewa Domain, Western Springs and Mt Smart Stadium.
The spokesman for the Auckland regional bid, Michael Barnett, said last night that in return for the chance to showcase Auckland the region offered RNZ 2011:
* World-class venues.
* A population base of 1.4 million.
* The country's largest accommodation sector, with 13,000 hotel and motel rooms and four major hotel developments due to be completed in time for 2011.
* Upgraded public transport.
Mr Barnett, chairman of AucklandPlus, said staging more matches in Auckland was a further chance to leave visitors with a lasting impression of Auckland as a world-class city and a desirable major events destination.
"This tournament has the potential to generate $315 million of additional expenditure in the Auckland region and the long-term benefits of successfully showcasing Auckland to the world will be much greater."
The region's pitch included sustainability and volunteer programmes and festival-type activities, including live sites, such as the Viaduct Harbour.
Mr Barnett said the region expected to learn in September whether its bids to host quarter-finals and the bronze final were successful.
The application is backed by a letter from the Regional Sustainable Development Forum - a co-operative which includes Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee, Auckland Mayor John Banks, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, Rodney Mayor Penny Webster, Franklin Mayor Mark Ball, acting Manukau Mayor Gary Troup, Mr Barnett as the deputy ARC chairman, ARC councillor Paul Walbran, North Shore councillor Tony Holman and Papakura councillor Peter Goldsmith.
But they have stiff opposition, judging by the pleas of city leaders elsewhere. Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock said his region believed it had a compelling case.
"The region has a strong commitment to rugby and major events and we are confident the crowds will turn out in force for Hamilton matches."
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said the city was committed to delivering "amazing facilities, the very best support and, of course, an unbeatable atmosphere. We have plenty of experience running major - successful - events of this nature".
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said: "This is our chance to showcase Christchurch and Canterbury to the world as New Zealand delivers the best-ever Rugby World Cup in 2011."
* Who gets what
Final: Eden Park, Auckland.
Semifinals: Eden Park, Auckland.
Quarter-finals: Bids from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
Third place play-off: Bids from Auckland and Hamilton.
