Hapmilton's Rugby World Cup Debut A Major Success

Hamilton has enhanced its reputation as a “can-do” event city with a successful
Rugby World Cup 2011 debut last night.

Waikato Stadium hosted its first match of the Tournament, between New
Zealand and Japan, enjoyed by a capacity 30,000-strong crowd whose
behaviour has been praised by police.

Many fans heeded the “park and walk” message, making good use of the
Walking Route through Hamilton’s CBD or opting instead to take special Rugby
Shuttle buses which ran before and after the match.

Traffic flowed smoothly around the city and the stadium, and police reported no
major incidents. The city’s hospitality precinct was full of patrons in good spirits
before and after the match, and many families took the opportunity to watch
the game and enjoy live music in the FanZone.

“Brilliant night all round in ‘The Tron’, all went according to plan and the
atmosphere was electric. I was in town after the game and it was great to see so
many people enjoying themselves and the entertainment. Hamilton can be
proud of itself,” Mayor Julie Hardaker says.

Rugby World Cup 2011 Ambassador Councillor Peter Bos said the match was
played in a spirit of friendship, at a ground visiting dignitaries and Tournament
organisers considered to be one of the best in the country and which had
performed superbly.

Waikato hosts its second Rugby World Cup 2011 match tomorrow, when Wales
meet Samoa in a crucial pool game kicking off at 3.30pm. The city’s third Rugby
World Cup 2011 match is on 2 October, when Wales face Fiji.