Dates big challenge for Rugby World Cup

Nailing down a time slot for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will be one of the biggest challenges faced by local and international stakeholders in the tournament.

International Rugby Board delegates arrived in Wellington on Sunday and will spend the next couple of days in discussions with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

New Zealand will host the cup in 2011.

IRB chief executive and Rugby World Cup Ltd managing director Mike Miller said it was intended the World Cup dates would in the future be the same every four years wherever it was held.

"It won't just be for 2011.

"The idea is that once we have a place for the Rugby World Cup that is where it will always be and we'll build the four-year calendar around that to give real certainty for everyone."

He said whatever date was decided upon, some people and some rugby unions would not be happy about the timing.

"We are looking at where is the best place for it to happen then it can go out for discussion between the unions and they can say where they would prefer it or not prefer it.

"But wherever you put it there are bound to be issues.

"There will be some sort of fallout and we will have to deal with that," he said.

Miller said weather would be one of the biggest factors in such a decision, as would the placement of tournaments such as the Tri Nations and Six Nations.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said the World Cup was the jewel in the crown of international rugby and it was vital to get the right dates sorted out.

He suggested offering compensation for any unions disadvantaged by the timing, and whether that was done in a monetary fashion or otherwise would need to be decided in discussions.

Miller said the commercial side of planning a date was another factor that needed consideration and would be further discussed at a committee meeting later this month.

Sponsorship arrangements were also discussed yesterday, with Miller suggesting a system of six main sponsors along with second and third tier sponsors a likely scenario for New Zealand.

Five main sponsors had been so far confirmed for next year's Rugby World Cup in France and one more would soon be confirmed.

The main sponsors would get global exposure and it was hoped that in 2011 at least one could be a New Zealand company.

Miller said the IRB was keeping tabs on progress with the expansion of Auckland's Eden Park for the world cup.

The 2011 tournament's establishment board chairman Jock Hobbs said work was under way with designs, costings and the resource consent process and was pleased with progress to date.

- NZPA