10 things to get right at the Lions Tour

Making sure there is no trouble between rival fans.

Probably seems ridiculous to suggest such a notion as rugby has prided itself on its family culture and gloated that it doesn't need to segregate rival fans.

But there is no room for complacency. Emotions will run high during the tour and the beer will be flowing. Those who regularly attend Six Nations matches will tell you how the banter is as good as ever but how a tiny minority have introduced a poisonous undercurrent.

It really doesn't take much for a bit of good-natured horseplay to turn into an ugly scene. The World Cup bid is presenting New Zealand as the spiritual home of rugby and claiming the country provides the ultimate experience for spectators. The IRB may not think so if there is a bit of bother between rival fans.

Getting everyone in and out of Eden Park.

A revamped Eden Park will be New Zealand's showpiece ground if it wins the hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup. But, as the Herald on Sunday revealed in October last year, the Kingsland railway station next to the ground will be closed, leaving 20,000 plus British fans with a bit of a headache as to exactly how they will get to the final two games.

There is barely any parking at the stadium, the roads around Eden Park are notorious bottle necks and, with most Lions fans based in the CBD, it will be too farto walk.

Compare the logistic nightmare of Eden Park with Telstra Stadium in Sydney, where thousands of free trains whisk fans in and out in a flash and the remainder take advantage of the thousands of carparks which surround the stadium.

Access to Japan's major stadiums is even better, as the thousands of fans who went to the 2002 soccer World Cup will testify.

Selling out every game.

With New Zealand selling itself as the spiritual home of rugby it won't look too good if there are empty seats during the biggest sporting event to ever be hosted in this country.

For all the hype, it is a source of amazement there are still thousands of tickets available for provincial games. If locals aren't buying tickets to watch their own team, what chance is there of them paying to watch Namibia play Romania?

Making sure Lions fans don't outnumber All Black fans at the tests.

If rugby is such a big deal, the IRB might question why thousands of Kiwis opted to sell their tickets to cash-rich Poms rather than support the team that supposedly dictates the mood of the nation?

Successfully accommodating the 200-plus media following the tour.

Last year when England were here, Observer rugby writer Eddie Butler wrote at length about the inadequacies of Carisbrook. While his column may have been a disservice to Observer readers who probably didn't give two hoots what poor Eddie had to endure in the line of duty, the NZRU can't afford to have negative publicity about antiquated facilities.

If stadiums are so bad that journalists feel compelled to write about that rather than the game, it's hardly a ringing endorsement for New Zealand's bid.

Sending the Barmy Army home happy.

Hosting more than 20,000 British fans will present New Zealand with a number of logistic difficulties. Accommodation in every provincial town and the three test cities will be pushed to the limit. Transport links into New Zealand as well as within New Zealand will also be severely tested.

The majority of fans will also be looking for a more conventional tourist experience which means the whole service economy will be under pressure to deliver.

Present a united front between NZRU, Government and major corporations.

The IRB needs to be convinced the Government and corporate New Zealand is fully supportive of the World Cup bid. Ministers therefore need to be visible during the tour, acknowledge it is happening and make the right noises about its importance to the New Zealand people and economy.

Prove the All Blacks are the people's team.

The All Blacks remain the world's favourite rugby team and arguably the only one with global appeal. Their public image is hugely important and, while the IRB would never interfere, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out the game's governing body wants to see the team have a close relationship not just with New Zealanders but the rest of the rugby world.

Under Graham Henry the All Blacks have improved accessibility and built a closer bond with the paying public. That good work needs to continue as the IRB wants the host side to be the face of the game.

Ensure there is enough beer at every host venue.

This is a serious point as during the 2001 Lions tour in Australia, the fans drank Sydney dry.

That's a hard one for any host to live down and a mistake the Barmy Army have been at pains to avoid this time.

Winning the test series.

This is out of the NZRU's control but it would do wonders in cementing the All Blacks' position as the number one ranked side. Although World Cup bids will be evaluated on a host of criteria that have little to do with rugby, it won't do any harm to have the All Blacks sit as world leaders while the decision is being made.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY