Pause

RWC 2011 - The Tournament

RWC 2011 kicks off at Auckland’s Eden Park on 9 September with the All Blacks taking on our Pacific neighbours Tonga.

The world’s third biggest sporting event involves 20 teams and 48 matches culminating in the Final on 23 October. Matches across the six weeks will be held at 13 venues with 23 centres hosting competing teams.

For the full match schedule, to purchase match tickets and for other tournament information visit the official RWC 2011 website www.rugbyworldcup.com

Our Rugby Legacy

While most people are focusing on RWC 2011 matches and the Real New Zealand Festival, the NZRU is also looking at how we can grow the game in 2011 and beyond.

While the tournament will provide tangible benefits such as new or improved stadia and infrastructure, the NZRU and Provincial Unions are looking to leverage off the tournament to grow the participant base at all levels of community rugby.

The six key initiatives in the Community Rugby Legacy project

Registration Drive and Trophy Tour
New Zealand Rugby Passport
Pass the Ball
Sign Your Jersey
Rugby Education Units
Rippa World Cup

For more information on these programmes visit our Community Rugby website

Rugby World Cup 2011

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) plays a number of roles in Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) including being the Host Union after being selected by the International Rugby Board in 2005 to host the tournament.

A year later, the NZRU joined forces with the Government to form Rugby New Zealand 2011 – the organisation responsible for the planning and delivery of RWC 2011.

The NZRU is also a participant in the tournament with the All Blacks one of the favoured sides for the 2011 title. New Zealand is one of only four countries to have ever won a RWC, back in the inaugural tournament in 1987.

To ensure the hosting of RWC 2011 leaves a lasting legacy <link to legacy section below> for the sport, the NZRU has a role to play in delivering initiatives that will grow the game in New Zealand.

Visit the Home of New Zealand Rugby

The Host Union for RWC 2011 invites you to go behind the scenes at New Zealand rugby’s headquarters during your visit to our rugby mad country.

The NZRU’s offices in Wellington house treasured rugby memorabilia and trophies including those currently held by New Zealand teams such as the Bledisloe Cup.

There’s also tributes to the 2005 DHL Lions Series, the All Blacks Grand Slam-winning tours and the Commonwealth Games glory of our sevens side.

Check out the main working area set on a rugby field as well as the Ernest Hoben room which features the jerseys of all 26 provincial unions, photos of past All Black teams and the names of every All Black since 1884.

Free tours of the NZRU are available at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays by ringing +64 4 499 4995 or emailing info@nzrugby.co.nz