There's no bridge to the South: Cup guide

Cartoon / Rod Emmerson

International journalists covering the Rugby World Cup are being warned: "There is no bridge connecting New Zealand's North and South Island."

Briefing handbooks were handed to media at Eden Park yesterday during a meeting to discuss the logistics of the tournament.

The booklet, which contains maps and details of each of the country's 13 match venues, was used at a similar briefing in London in November and will be given to the more than 1000 media expected in the country to cover the tournament, which kicks off on September 9.

The booklet contains basic facts and a brief history of each venue as well as tips on travelling between them.

On at least three occasions, the book notes that the North and South Islands are not linked.

"For those who are planning to self-drive, please note that the RWC 2011 venues are spread across New Zealand's North and South Islands. The two islands are not connected by bridge."

It then provides details on the Bluebridge and Interislander ferry services.

Rugby NZ 2011 spokesman Mike Jaspers said the detail was not as silly as it might seem.

"This was a serious question raised by several European journalists in the past year while inquiring about accreditation, so it seemed sensible to include it in the document which is a one-size-fits-all document for all our media operations briefings here and overseas.

"It's worth remembering that this is a global tournament which will attract hundreds of journalists who have yet to visit New Zealand, quite apart from the normal touring international rugby media, so we are trying to be as helpful as possible and answer all questions up front.

"It's worth noting that European journalists come from a region which boasts the Channel Tunnel and a bridge between Denmark and Sweden, so it seems to us a legitimate question to answer."

The book also warns to keep left on New Zealand's roads and to always keep left at a roundabout and to give way to all traffic on the right.

It also notes that it's illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is "hands free" and reminds drivers of the give way rules.