Lions tour good boost for World Cup bid, says Henry

Graham Henry

All Blacks coach Graham Henry today gave his final message of support for New Zealand's 2011 rugby World Cup bid, saying the success of the Lions tour has given its chances a huge boost.

Henry said he was "very hopeful" of success when the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), including Prime Minister Helen Clark and current captain Tana Umaga, put forward their final bid in Dublin early on Friday (NZT).

"We think it'd be a marvellous place for the World Cup to be held in 2011," Henry said.

"The whole country is a rugby ground. The people who were there for the Lions tour thoroughly enjoyed their visit, they enjoyed the New Zealand people and the scenery and the style of rugby that was played on the tour by the winning team.

"New Zealanders opened their arms to the visitors and they really had a great time.

"I think the foundation's been laid, the infrastructure of New Zealand rugby has shown it can handle the big occasion."

New Zealand are widely regarded as the underdogs in the three-way race against Japan and South Africa for hosting rights.

Recent media coverage in Britain has favoured Japan's bid, but the abiding feeling is that it will be a close call.

New Zealand's bid, which will be presented by the Prime Minister, Umaga, NZRU chairman and former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs, All Blacks legend Colin Meads and NZRU chief executive Chris Moller, will focus on the country's rich rugby tradition.

The biggest drawback of Japan's otherwise compelling bid was seen as their lack of experience in hosting big rugby events.

"I think it's due to come back to a small country that's got rugby as its major sport," Henry said.

"We are hopeful, we know it's a major challenge but we are ready and looking forward to it."

New Zealand would hope for support from their neighbour Australia, but in recent weeks the possibility has been raised that Japan could secure their vote.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones appeared to throw his support behind Japan this week -- although his mother and wife are both Japanese.

"It's up to the top six or eight countries to try and help the tier-two countries make the step up," he was quoted as saying in The Times.

"After you have been coach of a major country, one of the things you can do is help the others."

South Africa's bid was said in a leaked International Rugby Board (IRB) report last month as having the most potential, while New Zealand's was regarded as "safe".

No one has stuck their neck out and predicted success, beyond any doubt, for any particular bid.

Times rugby writer David Hands summed up the final days of the bidding process as IRB council members file into Dublin.

"Rugby is not noted for taking steps into the unknown, but that is the choice facing the sport," Hands wrote today.

"It should not matter what is said on Thursday when the three countries make their final pitch, so frequently have they done the rounds of the voting nations, but in a close decision, last-minute lobbying could tilt the balance."

In that case, a lot rests with the Prime Minister and two of the most recognised men in New Zealand with huge respect in the rugby world -- Umaga and Meads.

- NZPA