World Cup tickets set aside for Canterbury

Jock Hobbs says a number of tickets for the World Cup will be set aside for Cantabrians because of last weekend's earthquake.

Applications for individual tickets go on sale tomorrow, but because of the devastation caused by the earthquake, Rugby New Zealand 2011 have understandably come to the conclusion that those in Canterbury have other things on their minds right now.

Because of this a batch of tickets for all the matches in Christchurch will be held back and made available for those in Canterbury at a later date.

''With tickets to go on sale tomorrow, we are going to reserve a set of tickets especially for Canterbury when the time is right for them to focus on such matters,'' said Hobbs today, who was making a rare public appearance since he was forced to stand down as chairman of the NZRU and RNZ 2011 in May to fight his battle with leukaemia.

Although Hobb's battle with cancer had forced him to stand down from both roles, he remains involved in both organisations and today delivered a speech to IRB officials, media, politicians and dignitaries.

Today marked the one year countdown for the first game at the World Cup, when the All Blacks play Tonga at Eden Park and standing in a lounge at the new South Stand, Hobbs said everything was on track for a great festival of rugby.

''When New Zealand won the rights to host the World Cup in 2011 nearly five years ago, there were some who asked could this small Pacific nation do it, today, as we stand in this magnificent stadium, I say emphatically yes,'' said Hobbs.

''We are on track and we will be ready.

''In 2006 we promised that the 2011 Rugby World Cup would be a uniquely New Zealand event, we promised that it would be hosted by a stadium of four million, we promised all of New Zealand would get behind this tournament, a nation where rugby passions run deep and that nation would welcome rugby supporters and teams like no other country.

''We believe we are delivering on that promise, that is why we allocated matches around the country, from the far north to the deep south and it is why we have set a range of match tickets which means many matches are in the reach of most New Zealand families.

''But this event is not just about what happens in stadia, today the prime minister launches a nationwide festival of events, that will provide another reason for New Zealanders to embrace this tournament and for our visitors to take the long way around the country in between matches.

''Without a doubt the stadium of four million is coming to life.

''With one year to go we can assure you that we are ready.

''Eden Park's redevelopment is superb. Soon it will be open for business and that is a great achievement.

''Up and down the country preparations are on track.

''All stadia projects, bar the new Otago stadium will be complete this year and the Otago stadium is on schedule, it will be tight but it is on schedule.

''Tomorrow marks another major milestone when applications open for the second phase of ticketing, which is individual match tickets.

''We urge fans to take advantage of this phase as it is the last chance to enter the ballots for the semifinal and final.

''The level of interest from international fans has been reassuring.

''Some 20,000 fans living overseas bought team and venue pool packs over the first stage.

''Fans from 85 countries are coming to New Zealand. We know that this tournament has already struck a chord around the globe, our Facebook page boasts more than 560,000 fans.

''All of the eyes of the world will be on us, but it will only be that if we stage an excellent tournament and the stadium of four million fans becomes the stadium of four million great hosts.

''It goes without saying that the All Blacks will have great support, but we are confident that New Zealanders will get behind the other 19 teams, look after our overseas guests and welcome them with our unique Kiwi hospitality whenever we encounter them.

''This will be a special World Cup, one played in the heartland communities of New Zealand.''

- © Fairfax NZ News