England are world cup contenders: Giteau

After the way England played against Australia they should not be written off for the Rugby World cup said the Wallaby back Matt Giteau.

This weekend Giteau will arrived at Twickenham, and he will taking the captain ship guard in the match against South Africa who beat England on the weekend,he will be captaining Barbarians.

England had humbled Giteau's Wallabies three Saturdays ago because of their out standing performance, and he says that it brighter the chance of team winning the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Giteau says he is still hurting from England's victory especially since England also beat Australia in Australia earlier in the year.

"They outplayed us. We weren't ready for the style of football that they played." Giteau said.

"That caught us off guard. It was one of those days. Hopefully next time we will be better prepared."

Key: Rugby World Cup not all about drinking

People will come to New Zealand primarily to watch the rugby, not get drunk, during the Rugby World Cup next year, Prime Minister John Key says.

"I think people come here primarily...to actually watch rugby and to enjoy the very best of New Zealand and that might include some alcohol - a glass of wine or a couple of beers - but it's not limited to that," Mr Key said about concerns of excessive drinking at the event.

Most people would want to experience New Zealand's culture, food and scenery, he said.

The Lions tour in 2005 was a good example of a well behaved rugby crowd.

"They're an audience that's known for wanting to have a good time but they also behaved themselves impeccably."

While the numbers would be larger for the Rugby World Cup the festival atmosphere would be the same, Mr Key said.

The so-called "party central" to be hosted at Queens Wharf in Auckland would be a multipurpose space, he said.

It would host events during the day, bands and fairs as well as having large television screens where people could watch games.

"Party central's never been just solely a place where people go and consume alcohol," Mr Key said.

"It's a place where there's going to be quite a bit of celebration... that's one aspect of it but that's not its role in totality."

The Rugby World Cup will be held in September and October next year.

South African Fans Get The Call Up For Rugby World Cup 2011

South African rugby legend Bob Skinstad is working with Tourism New Zealand to help promote New Zealand to rugby fans in South Africa for Rugby World Cup 2011.

The former Springbok turned sports presenter, entrepreneur, blogger and tweeter arrived in New Zealand on Thursday 8 July for this Saturday's Tri Nations test, and Tourism New Zealand has seized the opportunity to give him a taste of what's in store for rugby fans in 2011.

Travelling with a crew from South Africa's leading sports broadcaster SuperSport, Skinstad's 12-day visit will be used to raise awareness of Rugby World Cup 2011 in South Africa.

On Friday, he bungy jumped off Auckland's Sky Tower before trying his hand at sailing an ex-America's Cup Yacht on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says South Africans will be an important source market for visitors during the World Cup, with around 10,000 South Africans expected to travel here for the Tournament.

Media coverage around Skinstad's visit will kick off a promotional push by Tourism New Zealand running through July and August, in the lead up to the All Blacks/Springboks Tri Nations test at Soccer City in Johannesburg on 21 August, and the launch of individual ticket sales in South Africa in early September.

"South Africa is a rugby-mad nation and, as defending World Cup Champions, there will be plenty of interest in the World Cup. Our challenge is to persuade rugby fans that it will be worth the trip to New Zealand to follow their team, and encourage them to book travel," says Kevin Bowler.

"We're making the most of this opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand through the experiences of a rugby legend, and someone who is well respected in South Africa. This project is an ideal way to show South Africans everything New Zealand has to offer them if they come out here for the Tournament in 2011."

Footage from Bob Skinstad's visit will be used to create a series of mini-documentaries that will broadcast on SuperSport in the lead up to the Tri Nations test in Johannesburg on 21 August. Footage will also be used online on popular rugby blogs, YouTube and on Tourism New Zealand's website.

Follow-up media interviews with Skinstad will also help boost New Zealand's profile when he returns home to South Africa and in the lead up to the 21 August test match.

This work builds on results already achieved by Tourism New Zealand through its work with well-known rugby personalities in other key rugby markets; and links well with further activity the organisation has planned to promote New Zealand as the host nation for Rugby World Cup 2011 and boost ticket sales.

Download high-resolution images from Bob Skinstad's day sailing with Sail NZ on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour at http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/media/download-images-from-the-campaign .

Rugby World Cup : Key backs Buck for World Cup ambassador

Prime Minister John Key has acknowledged that former All Black captain Buck Shelford would be a popular replacement for Andy Haden as a Rugby World Cup ambassador. "There would be plenty of people who would want to bring Buck in, we'll have to wait and see," Mr Key told reporters in Vietnam today. Maori Party MP Hone Harawira added his support for Shelford's appointment, saying he was one of Maoridom's greatest ever All Blacks. "In fact, it's hard to believe that the Government hasn't even asked him, given the fact that in more than 100 years of rugby, Buck is the only undefeated captain the All Blacks have ever had," he said. "And when you talk about the Maori brand, who is it the whole world thinks of when they think of the resurgence of the haka? None other than Buck Shelford himself." However, Shelford himself appears to be less than keen to take on the role. "I haven't thought about it and I'm not really interested in talking about it," he told The Dominion Post. Shelford has been mentioned as a possible replacement since Haden resigned from the role at the weekend after being embroiled in a controversy over comments he made about rugby players and rape. The minister in charge of the tournament, Murray McCully, had made it clear he did not believe Haden could continue in the position and had intended talking to him about it. Haden sent in his resignation before that happened.