Taupo scores a hat-trick as 2011 RWC host

The South African, Welsh, and Irish international rugby teams will all be calling Taupo home during parts of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Councillor Mich’ael Downard was present at the RWC announcement function in Auckland, and immediately called Mayor Rick Cooper in Taupo to deliver the good news. “We got all three!” Cr Downard proclaimed proudly.

The Mayor along with Cr Doreen Blyth and other members of the ‘Taupo Rugby World Cup Committee’ and local press were waiting for the announcement in the Council offices, and had the champagne ready. “This is such fantastic news. We’ve got three of the world’s finest international rugby teams, including the world champs, staying with us! Let’s role out the red carpet and welcome these guys.”

“A big thanks to Cr Blyth and Downard for all their hard work to get these fabulous international teams here. The World Cup committee has done a wonderful job of really putting Taupo on the world stage,” Says Mayor Cooper.

Wales will be staying five nights from September 12 – 16, Ireland four nights from September 18 – 21, and South Africa a total of nine nights, September 18 – 20, and September 23 – 28. The teams will all be basing themselves at Owen Delany Park for pre-game training and conditioning.

“The King Country has a strong Rugby tradition and produced many fine All Blacks such as Colin Meads so it’s wonderful that we can take three great teams to a region where Rugby passions run deep,” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.

The South African, Welsh, and Irish rugby teams all visited the district earlier this year and were taken with both Taupo’s natural beauty, and the extent of activities on offer. Mayor Rick Cooper says that according to team management, half a dozen of the South African players have a golf handicap of less than five. “That was no doubt a point in our favour.”

Cr Downard was not surprised that Taupo was such a popular destination for rugby teams. “We really punch above our weight as a town. The three teams that visited Taupo were all really impressed with the level of our facilities for such a small population. We are very good at supporting local events and occasions, and I know we’ll all make them all feel very welcome.”

The Mayor highlights the significant economic implications of having an international rugby team based in a town. “Other cities got games, which is nice, but we’ve got three whole teams staying with us, who will bring coaches, managers, physios, doctors, partners and family with them. All of whom will of course spend money on food and lattes, go shopping, and partake in all the fun tourist activities our district offers. And then they’ll all go back home and tell everyone how wonderful Taupo is.”

He says planning to host the teams and their supporters will get underway in earnest next year to ensure we are fully prepared for the rugby invasion.