KEY POINTS:
After 25 months of painfully protracted wrangling, we finally have some certainty, give or take $30 million, over the shape Eden Park will take come 2011.
It is one of six stadiums to have hosted a Rugby World Cup final but the 2011 version will bear little resemblance to the 'shed' that hosted the inaugural tournament.
So how will the new Eden Park stack up against its predecessors?
It is difficult to assess in many regards when you're working off plans rather than anything concrete, so to speak.
But some things, such as its locality, have not changed.
Most grounds have fantastic features with the odd drawback. Eden Park circa 1987 was the opposite: mainly awful but with the odd redeeming feature. Eden Park 2011 needs to offer a stadium experience.
The analysis is divided into five parts:
* Aesthetics - how it looks and fits in with the community.
* Accessibility from and proximity to the CBD.
* Tailgating - the outside-the-ground experience, such as boot parties, bars, etc.
* Stadium facilities and comfort of viewing.
* Overall atmosphere and stadium experience. Each section is worth 10 marks, with 50 being the ultimate stadium experience.
Assessing where Eden Park MkII will sit in the grand scheme of things is difficult, obviously. But based on design drawings and changes to Auckland's infrastructure, we can have a fair stab at it.
Perhaps surprisingly, we've decided it has the potential to be among the best.
Eden Park 1987
City: Auckland
Capacity: 45,000 approx.
Aesthetics: It had none. As Auckland grew, so did Eden Park: in a piecemeal, unplanned and ugly way. The South Stand, now about to be ripped down, was the jewel in the crown, while the Eastern Terraces, West Stand, Panasonic and North Stands would have looked ugly in Mogadishu, let alone Sandringham.
2/10
Proximity/Access: Eden Park is just far enough away from the CBD to be annoying. Too far to walk for many and with transport services in 1987 being even more sporadic and erratic than they are now, getting to Eden Park wasn't too easy for those who didn't live on the central Auckland isthmus.
4/10
Tailgating: In 1987, Kingsland was no friend to those who wanted to be fed and watered before the match. Dominion Rd wasn't much better. That had one advantage in that it spawned a Twickenham-like tradition of carpark parties. The outer oval, too, created pre-match atmosphere away from the pubs.
6/10
Viewing/Comfort: The South Stand was not too bad for the time but the rest of the stadium was cold and exposed and the Eastern Terraces as comfortable an experience as catching your grandparents pashing. The dual purpose nature of the ground meant you were always watching rugby at funny angles, particularly in the Panasonic Stand, one of the more bizarre and pointless pieces of architecture over the past century.
2/10
Overall: Hey, it was a new tournament. They needed somewhere to play the final and test rugby in Australia was played at Ballymore and Concord Oval at the time. The atmosphere was decent enough and with South Africa's isolation and British grounds only starting to get facelifts, we didn't really know how bad Eden Park was until later.
5/10
TOTAL: 19/50
Twickenham
City: London
1991 Capacity: 70,000 (now 82,000)
Aesthetics: It's a bit odd that in the heart of suburbia in London's south-west, among the three-bedroom semis, rises one of the world's most famous stadiums. But somehow Twickenham doesn't seem horribly out of place.
6/10
Proximity/Access: Planning a trip to Antarctica or North Korea is less stressful than one to Twickenham. Be ready to experience the worst aspects of human nature. Demand for trains is greater than supply and once you have scrapped to keep your place on the platform, fought your way on to the train and endured the sweaty armpits of your travelling companions, it's still a good 20 minute walk to the ground.
2/10
Tailgating: No one does the carpark picnic better. For those allowed to park their Range Rovers right outside the ground, a day out at Twickenham can't be beaten. Champagne, cucumber sandwiches, Barbour jackets, tweed trousers and chat about the school fees for Verity and Torquill keep the toffs smiling for weeks. The great unwashed can cram into the famous Orange Tree pub or one of the bars at the ground.
6/10
Viewing/Comfort: In 1991, Twickers was a long way from the supreme three-tiered enclosed stadium it is today. There was a North Stand that sat at one end of the ground as if it was lost, while the east and west sides of the ground had pillars that didn't enamour those who had paid good money to sit behind one.
5/10
Overall: On the plus side is the history, the feeling of being in an iconic venue, the sort of stadium you can imagine William Webb Ellis braying loudly and throwing his cap to the heavens in celebration. On the downside, you have to endure the Hooray Henrys who cheer every kick to touch and gasp in amazement if a forward does anything other than push or fall over.
5/10
TOTAL: 24/50
Ellis Park
City: Johannesburg
1995 Capacity: 62,000
Aesthetics: Johannesburg is not the sort of city where you seek out a friendly cafe, sit back in your chair and take in the view. So judged in the context of its surroundings, the stadium is an architectural bright spot. Rebuilt in the 1980s, it looks more modern than it is.
6/10
Proximity/Access: Ellis Park is close to the CBD but most of the city lives in the suburbs. Driving is the way to go - visitors are advised against taking public transport - which creates parking issues, as the stadium is not in a good part of town. Best advice is to pay some locals to guard your car while at the game. If you don't, the wheels - or even the car itself - might not be there when you get back. And if your car is gone, good luck finding a taxi.
4/10
Tailgating: The South Africans love their red meat and all around Ellis Park, there is opportunity to eat some. Braais are sparked up around the ground and getting there early is part of the experience. As is staying after the game for some more drinks.
8/10
Viewing/Comfort: It can't be denied that Ellis Park feels a little tired. But it is still a good stadium, complete with vertical stands close to the touchlines. The sun can be an issue for some spectators. The design is clever, though, as the views are good from nearly all parts of the ground.
6/10
Overall: It can be a little hairy. Those at the 1995 World Cup speak of their apprehension at getting there and about what might be happening outside the ground while the game was on. Against that, though, the Ellis Park faithful are boisterous and generate a none too easily forgotten atmosphere. No one will forget the crackle of excitement at the 1995 final started by a 747 which broke aviation laws to fly frighteningly low over the ground just before kick-off.
7/10
TOTAL: 31/50
Millennium
City: Cardiff
Capacity: 72,000
Aesthetics: Standing on St Mary's St, the main drag in Cardiff, you wouldn't even know the Millennium was there, even though you could probably throw a tennis ball at it. It looks and feels like it should be where it is and once in a city of desperately few charms, no one is complaining that there is at least one monument that stands tribute to the best modern architecture.
7/10
Proximity/Access: When real estate agents say a property is within walking distance of the city centre, you can bet you need to drive. But you don't need a car to get to the Millennium Stadium from the centre of Cardiff. It really is in the middle of the Welsh capital, a five minute walk from the railway and bus stations.
10/10
Tailgating: There's no carpark for the picnic at Millennium but there are hundreds of bars and restaurants within a 10 minute walk of the stadium. The whole city effectively drinks, eats and makes merry in the shadow of the stadium before tootling into their seats without a worry about parking or how they might get home after the game. The only pity is that Cardiff is one of the most ghastly cities on Earth.
8/10
Viewing/Comfort: As a former coach of Wales, Graham Henry was maybe a tad biased when he said Millennium was the world's best rugby stadium. Biased, probably, but not wrong. The stands are tight to the pitch, even the cheap seats have a stunning view and when the roof is on, the noise swirls and there is no better venue.
8/10
Overall experience: Millennium is hard to fault. The Welsh love their rugby and Cardiff comes alive when there is a test on. The Welsh love of singing makes the Millennium a stadium of noise, a venue of celebration. There's a sense of history there, too, sitting on the site of the Cardiff Arms Park and every rugby aficionado should go there at least once.
8/10
TOTAL: 41/50
Telstra Stadium
City: Sydney
Capacity: 83,000
Aesthetics: Part of the Olympic complex, Telstra Stadium (which has recently been renamed) is an impressive but by no means breathtaking structure in a bland part of Sydney's western suburbs. Next to the quirky Sydney Showgrounds, Telstra Stadium looks bigger but has less character. Inside, it is much the same. You're never in any doubt about its size but there is something a bit 'production-line' about it. Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium is far prettier.
5/10
Proximity/Access: Homebush, the suburb that houses the stadium, is a long way from town but a super-efficient train service from Sydney's Central Station alleviates most of the stress (unless you're coming from other parts of Sydney). The train drops you off a mere hop and skip from the stadium.
6/10
Tailgating: As we've mentioned before, it is a very bland part of Sydney. The big hotels have their bars but really most people get there as late as possible and get out of there as quickly as possible.
3/10
Comfort/Viewing: There is a massive amount of premium seating but you will get nosebleeds if you buy the cheapest. Telstra is a comfortable, well-appointed stadium with ample stalls, opportunities to buy alcohol and you won't be sitting cross-legged during the second half because you couldn't get in and out of the toilets in time.
9/10
Overall experience: Like New Zealand grounds, there's never what you would call a fever pitch, though the World Cup final was about as close as you can get to it and that was because more than half the crowd were English. However you would be the Grinch if you had a bad time at Telstra. It's just a shame there's nothing to do outside the ground.
6/10
TOTAL: 29/50
Stade de France
City: St-Denis, Paris
Capacity: 80,000
Aesthetics: SdF stands out like a beacon in a fairly unflattering area of Paris, although it has contributed to some urban regeneration. The stadium is an impressive concentric edifice, though not necessarily attractive. Inside, it looks spectacular when full.
7/10
Proximity/Access: The stadium is served by two lines, which is just as well because it's too far to walk from the city and you'll be watching the meter tick over in a taxi. The nearest train stations aren't too close either (Kingsland and Morningside are nearer Eden Park) but landing at station La Plaine Stade de France gives you an interesting walk to the stadium; station St Denis Stade de France does not.
5/10
Tailgating: St-Denis is a bit of a black hole for eating and drinking but the boulevard that leads from La Plaine (see above) to the stadium is crammed with stalls selling beer and good food so most fans have no problem heading north out of Paris well before kickoff.
6/10
Comfort/Viewing: SdF is an excellently appointed stadium. A wide concourse around the outside means you have no problem finding your seat. There are plenty of great viewing seats but you need to check when buying your tickets. If you're up high on the corners, you're not getting much of a view. There is some leg room and reasonable access to stalls but the queues for the loos are atrocious and there's no alcohol.
6/10
Overall experience: Stade de France is one of the more over-rated stadiums in the world for a big-match experience. There is atmosphere but only when things are close (and much of it is manufactured by the obligatory brass band). You won't have a bad time but the chances are you'll be running to catch the last Metro wondering what all the fuss was about.
6/10
TOTAL: 30/50
Eden Park 2011
City: Auckland
Capacity: 60,000
Aesthetics: The design for the 'legacy' option for Eden Park won favour with most critics, including Gordon Moller, but much of how Eden Park MkII will look will depend on what they do outside the ground. Suncorp Stadium put in natives and clad the ground in an exterior that helped it blend in somewhat with its suburban surrounds. It is unlikely on a limited budget that Eden Park will blend so congruously with its leafy tree-lined surrounds but it cannot be as ugly as it looks presently.
6/10
Proximity/Access: Well, it hasn't shifted so the problems with proximity to the CBD remain. However, the wheels of progress have grumbled slowly into line with modern cities and it is hoped the Britomart-to-Kingsland train service will be operating more efficiently than it was for the Lions tour.
5/10
Tailgating: The Kingsland and Dominion Rd precincts have developed sufficiently to host a few thousand drinking punters before the match, while depending on what happens to the carparks and outer oval, there will still be scope for boot and tent parties. If the Auckland City Council and Rugby New Zealand 2011 play this one right, it could be one of the features of the World Cup.
8/10
Comfort/Viewing: The fact it is going to remain a one-day cricket ground means you won't be tight up against the touchlines like at Millennium or Twickenham but having three sides of the ground under cover will be a massive improvement. The food can only be a a step up on what's on offer currently. A concourse will be vital for getting to your seat quickly.
7/10
Overall experience: The great unknown. Compared to overseas and particularly Europe, the atmosphere in New Zealand grounds has been akin to outer space - there is none.
5/10
POTENTIAL TOTAL: 31/50
