Eden Park revamp if Cup bid succeeds

Eden Park will be trans-formed into a state-of-the-art showpiece stadium if New Zealand wins the right to host the 2011 World Cup.

To host the event New Zealand will need at least one stadium with a 60,000-plus capacity. The New Zealand Rugby Union has explored the possibility of building a national stadium at a virgin site but has deemed it too expensive with the costs likely to come in at between $350 million and $400 million.

Redeveloping Eden Park to effectively make it New Zealand's national stadium appears to be the NZRU's most cost-effective way of satisfying the relevant bid criteria.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said: "I wouldn't rule anything out completely but we are more likely to work with existing stadiums. When you look at what the available funding from central government might be, corporate sources and other sources, the reality is, having researched a number of the options, we need to be at the lower end of capital costs.

"Obviously Eden Park is a leading option. We are looking at the others but I'm on record as saying the preference is Auckland."

The cost of expanding Eden Park from its current capacity of 45,000 to 60,000 or more hasn't been determined but the Eden Park Trust, which owns the stadium, is confident the capital investment would be minimal compared with building a stadium from scratch.

Previous research has confirmed the current site of Eden Park could handle expansion, with the two short sides of the ground the most likely areas for major redevelopment. The Eden Park Trust would contribute towards any revamp and the NZRU will also be hoping for government and corporate funding.

The NZRU has hired PricewaterhouseCoopers, an accountancy firm, to help it conduct a feasibility study to assess the country's ability to host the 2011 event. The findings are expected early next month and the NZRU will decide whether to present a bid by mid-May. If it does push ahead, it'll have to submit its proposal to the International Rugby Board by the end of May.

South Africa and Japan should submit bids, with Japan tipped as the winner, as the IRB have made noises about taking the tournament to a new geographic area.

Japan, which successfully co-hosted the 2002 football World Cup in 2002, is expected to make a bid which will be heavily endorsed by major corporations and have the potential to make a massive profit.

New Zealand, with its relatively small stadiums and small population, will try and sell itself as the spiritual home of rugby. With the World Cup now the IRB's major source of revenue, bids which promise a strong financial return are viewed in a favourable light.

Moller accepts it will be tough for New Zealand to win the hosting rights but believes a compelling bid can still be made.

"This may be our last chance. If countries go down the corporate route it'll be difficult for New Zealand. I think there is a sadness about it. There is no doubt New Zealand enjoys a special place in the history and heritage of rugby. But life moves on and effectively the World Cup is now about the business of sport.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY