Rugby world cup fever 'will boost' Marlborough

BEN CURRAN/ The Marlborough Express

BRING IT ON: Marlborough Rugby Sub Union area manager Craig Morris has every reason to smile about the fine facilities awaiting the Blenheim-based World cup team at the 2011 event.

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Marlborough Rugby Sub-Union manager Craig Morris is excited by the news that the province will host a team during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Blenheim was confirmed as a base for the second qualifying European team last week, but the identity of that team will not be known until qualifying matches are completed early next year.

At this stage, with several matches still to play, Georgia or Portugal look most likely, but whichever team it is, Morris said it was great news for Marlborough and rugby in particular.

"It's fantastic for the rugby fraternity. We are gathering a lot of momentum in Tasman, with Nelson hosting three teams and two matches.

"It is recognition of our locations and our facilities. Lansdowne Park is one of the top 14 stadiums in New Zealand, and whoever the qualifying team is, they will have a magnificent facility in Blenheim."

Hosting a World Cup team is an opportunity to establish links with an overseas team, Morris said, and it is all part of the greater exposure the region now enjoys.

"The future of the Tasman Makos is secured.

"Marlborough rugby is improving after a tough three or four years. Playing numbers are growing. We are the biggest participation sport in the province, with more than 2100 players.

"The World Cup will be great for the region as a whole and hosting a team is a bonus and a further boost to the sport."

Morris is confident the Marlborough population in general will respond to the World Cup event.

With up to 60,000 supporters travelling around New Zealand before, during and afterwards, many of them will either stay or at least stop over en route here.

"The Marlborough Rugby Sub-Union's role is to host the team, look after them and make sure all the facilities and equipment are available."

Local rugby clubs will be encouraged to host the visiting team and interact with the players and Morris hopes Marlborough players can get some live training alongside the World Cup team.

He is also confident the visiting team will get out and mix among the wider community but knows their main focus will be on performing well on the playing fields during the tournament.

"I think some people are a little slow in realising the benefits of what having a team here means for the region. Teams in Nelson and their supporters will probably venture over to Marlborough.

"It's great work by the Marlborough District Council in helping secure a team.

"It will make Marlborough feel a real part of the World Cup and I'm sure locals will get on board and adopt whichever team stays here."

Lansdowne Park will be off-limits to local rugby for the 10 days the team is here. That will have little impact on local rugby as the club season and the Air New Zealand Cup competition will have finished.

The team will be based in Blenheim between September 6 to 12 and again between September 16 to 18 before they travel to Nelson.

Nelson is also hosting the Italian and American teams.

- The Marlborough Express