Rugby World Cup in business

Rugby New Zealand 2011 has been launched to organise the 2011 rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard and New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs yesterday announced the new company that will deliver the tournament in New Zealand.

It coincided with the announcement that Christchurch's Jade Stadium would get a $60 million revamp over four years, increasing the permanent seating there by 7000 to 43,000 for the tournament.

RNZ 2011 will assume responsibility for the planning, preparation and delivery of the tournament in conjunction with Rugby World Cup and the International Rugby Board.

The new board comprises NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs and chief executive Chris Moller, Sparc chairman John Wells, former KPMG chairman Alan Isaac (both representing the Government) and independent directors Sir Ron Carter, the former chairman of Beca Group, and Lois Appleby, who is on the board of the Victorian Major Events Company.