NZ bid for RWC 2011 - stadia?

[The Observer]

One of the concerns for NZRU's bid for RWC 2011 is that its stadia aren't as good as those in SA and Japan, and not equipped to host modern Could the NZRU expand the attendance capacity of any of their stadia? Some people suggested that they should redevelop or expand Eden Park into a bigger ground to hold 60,000, but its still a round cricket ground. In fact, its odd that in a Rugby country, all the main S12 grounds (Eden, Caketin, Jade, Carisbrook) are circular cricket grounds that aren't dedicated to the number one game!

My main question is this:

Could NZRU do more work on Ericsson Stadium? The Warriors expanded it to 30,000 by building a new East stand; the NZRU and Government could build proper Northern and Southern stands which could add another 10,000 to capacity. That would at least give NZ a good rectangular ground for RWC.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Because of NZs small population, the only way for larger grounds to be ecvonomically feasible is for them to be multipurpose grounds. Hence the reason that Eden park and the cake tin are ovals (albeit small ovals) so they can host both rugby and cricket. Auckland is big enough to have dedicated grounds for each but the Authorities there have never bothered to coordinate the stadia resulting in two 20-25,000 seaters plus one multi-sport stadium.
Ericcson couldn't really take much more capacity than it has now, as the only space for extra capacity is to build bigger stands behind the goal lines, which would probably yeild another 3-4 thousand max.
North Harbour Stadium would be another candidate for expansion, it could take an extra 5K if a proper stand was built on the western side, plus extra capacity could be installed behind the goal lines, so it couldd probably be raised to 30-35K.
My understanding is that Eden park would undergo massive redevelopment if NZ got hosting rights.

 

[The Observer]

How would the massive redevelopment for Eden Park work - would they make it more Rugby friendly by bringing the stands in a bit?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

How would the massive redevelopment for Eden Park work - would they make it more Rugby friendly by bringing the stands in a bit?

I think they'd bulldoze maybe half the stands and align the new stuff with what's left.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

imo Eden Park is more a rugby ground than a cricket ground, both in terms of intended purpose, and practicality.

 

[Dr Crane]

Auckland needs a separate cricket and rugby ground.

Either rebuild Eden Park in a Lang Park style and put a cricket ground elsewhere, or go with a Telstra Stadium design with the moving stands on the wing - which is more practical.

If they had the sense to build a 65-70,000 seat stadium that was easily accessable by decent public transport, or good parking, crowds would go to it.

 

[bayrep]

They had the chance for something like that in downtown AKL were the old railway stations where but instead they put in a inclosed 12K stadium with no parking and a 1k walk from the railway station. D!cks.

 

[Dr Crane]

Apart from the odd concert, what would actually pack out a 12k arena? I'm watching the Breakers playing in front of 12 men and a dog at another new Arena.

 

[Timbo]

I've heard there's talks of downsizing Eden Park and making into a cricket venue with a capacity of 20,000 or so, and building a 60-70,000 seat rectangular venue in Auckland.

As for the initial post asking about Ericsson's viability, I dout it'd be used considering even if I got to 30,000, there'd still be Eden Park and North Harbour stadium in Auckland.

I'd wonder which venues would be used? I imagine that the 5 Super 14 teams home grounds would be used, but which venues outside of the 5 main cities would be used? Yarrow Stadium in Taranaki is relatively modern I believe? McLean Park in Napier? Although it isn't particularly modern. Which other NPC grounds are suitable?

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I've heard there's talks of downsizing Eden Park and making into a cricket venue with a capacity of 20,000 or so, and building a 60-70,000 seat rectangular venue in Auckland.

As for the initial post asking about Ericsson's viability, I dout it'd be used considering even if I got to 30,000, there'd still be Eden Park and North Harbour stadium in Auckland.

I'd wonder which venues would be used? I imagine that the 5 Super 14 teams home grounds would be used, but which venues outside of the 5 main cities would be used? Yarrow Stadium in Taranaki is relatively modern I believe? McLean Park in Napier? Although it isn't particularly modern. Which other NPC grounds are suitable?

I don't know why they wouldn't use Ericsson, it is surely in the top few rugby venues in the country, as a specialist rectangular ground that is relatively modern (well, all of it has at least been updated in the last 15 years or so.)

Plus, if they wanted to go back to using the grass embankment (although I'm guessing this wouldn't be allowed?) Ericsson could hold probably 35,000+ in its current state.

The Lions played Bay of Plenty at Rotorua this year. The capacity is 35,000 and the whole thing seemed to go pretty well.

BlueChip Stadium in Mount Maunganui only holds 20,000 atm, but it is new (built in 2001) and all-seater, which helps.

What's ITM Stadium in Whangarei like? According to worldstadiums it's a 25,000 capacity all-seater, but when I watch Northland games on TV I see a sh*tty old ground with a large grass embankment.

 

[Timbo]

Also isn't Rugby Park in Invercargill reasonably new?

I think Ericsson would miss out because the NZRFU have shown that they prefer to use Eden Park and North Harbour stadium when it comes to playing in Auckland in the past.