Rugby: Three venues kicked into touch

Auckland's Eden Park has pipped Wellington's Westpac Stadium for the World Cup opener between the All Blacks and Tonga. Photos / NZ Herald, Getty Images, Mark Mitchell

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It will be a case of being all dressed up and no face to show for three venues left off the list of Rugby World Cup 2011 games announced by organisers yesterday.

But while the matches - and the big chance for international exposure - have gone the way of their 13 rivals, the venues still have a chance of being picked to host overseas teams later in the year.

Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium missed out on pool games but has a good prospect of its facilities being used as a training venue.

"It's disappointing, because Mt Smart is an excellent facility," said Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee.

He said the stadium hosted international league and also the 1990 Commonwealth Games and the British Lions v North Harbour game in 1993.

The ARC had been wary of committing extra funds for its stadium without knowing it would be used, said Mr Lee.

"But we have budgeted $10 million to put in to Eden Park."

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosbie said the city was part of a joint Bay of Plenty bid so he saw the three games to be played at Rotorua as a coup for a strong rugby area stretching from Waihi to Opotiki.

"I'm disappointed Tauranga was unsuccessful in getting any of the games. But it's a rugby decision - not, in my opinion, a commercial decision. We are now looking forward to having more visitors through the Bay, including Tauranga."

Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes was also disappointed matches would not be played there given the enthusiastic attendances of up to 12,000 at rugby and cricket events in the district.

Mr Geddes said a consolation was Queenstown's possibility of being a South Island base for rugby tourists as it was during the British Lions tour.

Spokesman for Auckland's cup bid Michael Barnett said the city was confirmed as "the hub of Rugby World Cup by getting nine matches at Eden Park, including the final".

"Hosting the opening match gives us another significant opportunity to establish Auckland as a desirable major events destination and leave a lasting impression that Auckland is a world-class city."

Mr Barnett said a June 2008 study estimated the tournament had the potential to generate up to $315 million of extra spending in the region.

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams said the games to be played at North Harbour Stadium, Albany, would be "fantastic" for the venue and the city. "Our large South African population will be over the moon to have South Africa. We will roll out the red carpet for teams."

Hamilton city councillor Kay Gregory said fans were pleased to have the All Blacks playing there.

"We are happy to have Wales too because their coach Warren Gatland is from Hamilton."

Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff said getting two games was a tremendous result for promoters of the Northland bid. "They have scored under the bar for us."

New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent said fans in Taranaki were relishing the possibility of elimination games producing a stand-off between Russia and the United States - on Taranaki soil.

Positively Wellington Tourism spokesman David Perks said the city's economy could be boosted by about $45 million in 2011 from its clutch of two quarter-final matches and five pool matches.