 The
IRB Council has awarded the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 to New Zealand.It is
the climax of a selection process which began in April 2004, and is the
first time that the Host Union for an IRB Rugby World Cup has been known six
years before the tournament.
The voting procedure was managed by a team of independent auditors, led
by Tom Grace from Price Waterhouse Cooper.
Dr Syd Millar, Chairman of the IRB and RWC, was full of praise for the
winners, and for the process.
"The council members here today have had more detail on the tenders than
any previous council, they were in possession of all the facts and they made
a collected decision," said IRB and RWC Chairman Dr Syd Millar.
" Rugby is so important to New Zealand. It's our national sport, it's our
passion. It defines who we are in many respects.. It's a great day to be a
kiwi, and a proud day"
Jock Hobbs, NZRFU Chairman and bid leader
"The people of New Zealand will, of course, embrace this, it's such a
rugby-loving public, but the same could have been said for South Africa and
Japan, and that's the great thing now about how far Rugby World Cup has
come. It's a huge occasion."
Mike Miller, IRB Chief Executive, added: "Any of the three unions could
have hosted a very successful Rugby World Cup, but in the case of New
Zealand it is certain that the whole country will be behind the bid and the
decision. It is their national sport, they live and breathe rugby.
"New Zealand is a safe pair of hands. They're very good at organising
these sorts of events, we know that the stadia will be packed and
organisationally they will do a fantastic job."
Jock Hobbs, Chairman of the NZRFU and leader of New Zealand's bid could
barely conceal his delight.
"It's just wonderful. So many people have worked so hard and for such a
long time on this bid that it's just great news for all of us," he said.
"To have been granted the right to host 2011 is something that I think
will galvanise our nation, it's an honour and a privilege, but also a
responsibility.
"We had a feeling, given the growth of the tournament, that this was our
last chance at hosting it, so again that was a driving force behind us
winning.
"Rugby is so important to New Zealand. It's our national sport, it's our
passion. It defines who we are in many respects, and has done since the
first All Blacks team. I hope there are a lot of kiwis back home really
enjoying this. It's a great day to be a kiwi, and a proud day." |
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