Hamilton to host three Rugby World Cup 2011 games

Rugby New Zealand 2011 announced this afternoon that Hamilton will host three pool games for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Hamilton will host the All Blacks when they take on the winner of the Asia qualifier (likely to be Japan) on 16 September 2011, before hosting Wales twice – first when they go up against the winner of the Oceania qualifier (likely to be Samoa) on 18 September 2011, and then when they face Fiji on 2 October 2011.

Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock said it is pleasing that the city has been able to secure the games, particularly given so many venues were vying for the hosting rights.

"To be able to secure three pool games here at Waikato Stadium is a great achievement, especially considering they were so fiercely contested," he said.

"The bid was a strong regional effort and we worked closely with other local councils and funders to be able to bring these games to the city."

Forty pool games were allocated to 13 venues across the country.

The securing of the games at Waikato Stadium means Hamilton City Council will now instigate the construction of additional temporary seating at the venue to bring its seating capacity to 30,000. Resource Consent for the additional seating has already been approved.

The next Rugby World Cup 2011 announcement will be for team placements and is expected near the end of the year.