KEY POINTS:
Four Government MPs based in Christchurch have written to organisers of the 2011 rugby World Cup in New Zealand calling for two quarterfinals to be held in the South Island.
Labour MPs Tim Barnett, Lianne Dalziel, Ruth Dyson and Progressive leader Jim Anderton said it was important to recognise the rest of the country, outside Auckland.
"If the South Island cannot host either semifinal, which we accept is the reality due to the logistics of moving so many people to Auckland for the final, then Christchurch should host two quarterfinals to reinforce that it is New Zealand, not just Auckland, that is hosting the Rugby World Cup."
Rugby New Zealand, which is planning and delivering the World Cup, will announce on Thursday which venues have secured the quarterfinals and bronze final matches.
Auckland, already guaranteed the final and semifinals, has also bid for the quarterfinals and the third placing match.
Christchurch and Wellington have 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.
- NZPA