Almost six years from the time that New Zealand was awarded hosting rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the start of the tournament has finally arrived. There's certainly been a huge upswing in RWC fever this week, even in places like Wanganui where no matches will be played.
This is without doubt the biggest event that New Zealand has ever hosted. It doesn't come cheaply, and it's highly likely that this will be the last time that a country of New Zealand's size will be awarded the tournament. We've just heard a police spokesperson quoted on the radio as saying that this is the biggest operation ever undertaken by the NZ Police, and we wouldn't dispute that.
It was a masterstroke, in our ever-humble opinion, to appoint Martin Snedden as CEO of Rugby World Cup Limited. Snedden was an outstanding CEO of NZ Cricket, and has brought those same skills to RWC2011. Ticket sales are closing in on the $250m mark, and rapidly closing on the $268m target set some time ago. Only three matches are sell-outs at this stage; two All Black pool matches (including the one we're going to in Wellington) and the final, but many more are close. Less than a thousand tickets remain for tonight's match at Eden Park, and Newstalk ZB's Dunedin reporter said a few minutes ago that only "a couple of hundred" tickets remain unsold for England versus Argentina tomorrow night at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium; we're probably not allowed to call it that, but what the heck! Snedden and his team have done an outstanding job in marketing the tournament, and we hope that his service is recognised in due course.
When the tournament is over, there are bound to be some areas that are criticised; that's pretty much inevitable. For now thugh, let's just focus on the veritable feast of rugby that awaits us over the next six weeks, and the buzz that is quickly spreading around the country. We have vivid memories of the 1987 RWC, including going to the final, but this tournament is going to be light years better. We'll be covering it here at Keeping Stock; of that you can be assured!
It's now just fourteen hours and ten minutes until kick-off tonight at Eden Park; bring it on!
7 comments:
I love the people who complain about the cost .. this is the sort of thing a small counrty needs unless we want to be a little backward counrty at the bottom of thew world. Come in bOb.
bOb will be happy to know I will be catching a train for the 1st time since the late 80's. (it is run by diesel though)
Dunno about no more sleeps, I'm working from home to avoid the herds today so a lunchtime kip might be on the cards...
lol James; SWMBO might send me to my room for a nap if I get to excited...
Me to, had an emergency run to the city from Paradise last night might, just nod off for a granny nap after lunch to recharge batteries of course.
getting to Britmart should be okish, into the Cloud area will be a shocker and getting home could be a problem .. full train full of pissed people. I sort of understand opening the gates at say 3pm BUT this will cause a huge que and the 12001st person will be pissed off
I think they should move it to Oz.
Just been into Town.
Returned to the Ellerslie highlands by train.
Lots of people using the trains to get into town.
Too many fat people wearing too little clothing for my taste.
I suspect that the cloud queue will be already at capacity and so would suggest that other venues be considered Jabba.
I'll be leaving for home at about 3pm to avoid the lock down around the garden of Eden.
Apparently we will be serenaded by a Tongan Brass band between Gribblehurst and the park.(oh Joy!) I hope they have a permit or the fun police will confiscate their instruments.
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