New Zealand to host 2011 World Cup

New Zealand was chosen to host the 2011 rugby World Cup yesterday, upsetting the odds and those who thought the game should move its showpiece event beyond its traditional heartlands. New Zealand, which lost the right to host the 2003 World Cup jointly...

New Zealand was chosen to host the 2011 rugby World Cup yesterday, upsetting the odds and those who thought the game should move its showpiece event beyond its traditional heartlands.

New Zealand, which lost the right to host the 2003 World Cup jointly with Australia after a row with the International Rugby Board (IRB) over stadium sponsorship, beat off competition from South Africa and pre-vote favourites Japan.

New Zealand joint-hosted the inaugural World Cup with Australia in 1987 and won it.

"Winning the right to host 2011 is an enormous honour and a great privilege," said New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jack Hobbs. "It's just a proud day to be a Kiwi."

New Zealand, a long way behind in the betting going into yesterday's vote, based its bid on the emotional appeal of a country where rugby is undoubtedly the number one sport.

It boasted that the successful handling of the British and Irish Lions tour earlier this year showed it could deal with large numbers of fans despite the limited size of the country's stadiums.

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