Rugby: Ponsonby fitting host for Samoa and Tonga

The grin on Bryan Williams' face is virtually a permanent fixture but it was a little wider on Friday morning.

The former All Black great has always had his fingers in a lot of pies - these days he's NZRU vice-president - but it was his beloved Ponsonby at the forefront of his thinking.

As World Cup boss Martin Snedden read out the 23 hosting centres and 47 training venues for the 2011 extravaganza, Ponsonby's Western Springs' was announced as a training venue for Samoa and Tonga.

For Williams, who played 75 games for the All Blacks from 1970-78 but many more for Ponsonby, it couldn't have been more appropriate.

"We were hopeful of getting a team and to have the two teams that are coming to Western Springs, the Samoans and Tongans, is great," beamed Williams, who is club president and director of rugby.

"Many of our members have Samoan and Tongan heritage so we are going to embrace them, adopt them and look after them."

Beegee has special reason to look after Samoa. He went to three World Cups with them (1991,'95 and'99), two as head coach, and famously guided them to victory over a Graham Henry-coached Wales side in 1999.

He has also argued Samoa's case for better treatment against the international heavyweights, even New Zealand, countless times.

As well, his eldest son Gavin is in the Samoa side and could make their World Cup squad.

"It wasn't up to us who would be allocated where, but we would have to say we are pretty happy," Williams said.

"It just illustrates how mindful the organising committee are to which teams will suit which communities.

"The small communities will really enjoy and embrace these teams and the teams will see the real New Zealand and that's what this great game is all about. Martin Snedden and his team have done a great job."

The work will now begin on how Ponsonby can accommodate Samoa and Tonga, who will use Western Springs for a combined total of 12 days.

The club have $3.7 million from the Auckland City Council to upgrade and work is expected to begin once the current speedway season finishes.

A feature of the 47 training venues is the number of club (18) and school (seven) facilities being utilised.

Most will envy St Peter's School in Cambridge, the All Blacks' training base for seven days before their second pool match in Hamilton, likely to be against Japan.

"It's fantastic news," principal Steve Robb said.

"We hosted the All Blacks for three days prior to the South African test in Hamilton this year and it went very smoothly. We had our fingers crossed they might be back again."