Rugby World Cup 2011 will begin campaign against Argentina in Dunedin

Rugby World Cup 2011 will begin campaign against Argentina in Dunedin, tournament organizers booked on Tuesday.

Martin Johnson's men on September 10 Otago Stadium and kick off against the Pumas on the Web site of Georgia faced eight days later.

Christchurch match originally scheduled for five of them with the remaining three South Island, I moved. Nelson, Dunedin, and Invercargill will host an additional game for all.

The other two are Paul moved to Wellington and North Harbour match, and the revised schedule is:

Sat, Sept 10 at 20.30: Argentina v England - Otago Stadium, Dunedin
Sun, Sept 11 at 15.30: Australia v Italy - North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Sun, Sept 18 at 18.00: England v Georgia - Otago Stadium, Dunedin
Sun, Sept 25 at 20.30: Argentina v Scotland - Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Sat, Oct 1 at 15.30: Australia v Russia - Trafalgar Park, Nelson

Two quarter-finals originally scheduled for Christchurch on October 8 and 9 will be played in Auckland at Eden Park.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "Following the difficult decision to transfer the Christchurch matches all involved have worked hard to confirm the new venues as quickly as possible. We are pleased that three of the five matches will remain in the South Island."

"We appreciate the patience shown by the teams and fans during this difficult period and are enormously grateful for the support and cooperation of all our partners during what has been a complex process," added Lapasset.

Invercargill to Dunedin tournament organizers are also operational reasons is Scotland v Georgia.

England match with Georgia in Invercargill was proposed to move, but its main operational challenges because of the town (Argentina v Romania on September 17 is being played in Invercargill) in a double header weekend Will be caused by the was rejected.

RNZ 2011 CEO Martin Snedden said: "Our desire was always to transfer as many of the Christchurch pool matches as was reasonably possible to other existing South Island venues.

"At the same time we are very conscious that time is pressing, with just 163 days to go before the world's third largest sporting event kicks off, so we have also sought to minimise disruptions to ensure as few teams and their supporters were affected as possible."

Injured Hernandez To Miss Rugby World Cup

Due to ruptured knee ligament Argentinian star Juan Martin Hernandez will miss out the remaining season and is a doubt for the September 9-October 23 World Cup.

"There remains very little time before the World Cup, but I will do everything possible to be there," said Hernandez.

"What's important now is to fix the date of the operation and then start more good rehabilitation to try to get back on the paddock as strong as possible."

Hernandez has been known as the 'Magician' for his inspiring play whether at fullback, fly-half or centre.

Earth Quake won't affect Rugby World Cup says organisers

Despite the catastrophic earthquake in Christchurch,it has been announced by the Rugby World Cup organizers that tournament will go on per schedule and will not affect.

Tuesday's quake killed around 98 people that ripped through the South Island city, and the city was selected for 7 games to be played over there.

A number of hotels in the city has been destroyed due to quake, while the Lancaster Park Stadium has also sustained damage.

But New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is determined that Christchurch should host matches during the event to help aid in the city's recovery.

"Our preference is to hold the World Cup here if we can. We think it's a powerful message for Christchurch," Key said.

"The issue is really about accommodation ultimately. Clearly the Grand Chancellor is going to be demolished, if it doesn't fall over in its own right and we know other hotels like the Copthorne and stuff are very badly (damaged and) clearly won't be ready for the Rugby World Cup."

Fiji tourism looks to Rugby World Cup

We are only few days away from Rugby World Cup and Fiji is creating such strategy in which they are planning to attract rugby fans to visit Fiji before and after the tournament.

Tourism Fiji CEO, Josefa Tuamoto told the Fiji Live news site said the national tourist office was already working with key wholesalers in the UK and Europe to promote Fiji as the perfect pre and post Rugby World Cup destination.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) said it had brokered a contract between the Fiji's rugby union and government which should keep the Pacific island nation in this year's World Cup.

"The government's commitment to significant investment in Fiji's Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign (will) go ahead as previously planned," the IRB said in a statement on Saturday.

Giteau to head offshore after World Cup

After this year's Rugby World Cup,Wallaby star Matt Giteau will come to Europe to take up a deal with Toulon.

Fox Sports commentator Greg Clarke believes Matt Giteau's decision to play for Toulon could be the tip of the ice berg for other SANZAR players.

With French club Toulon,Matt will have 18 month deal following the conclusion of the Wallabies World Cup campaign.

Clarke says European clubs have several top players in their sights.

He says it remains to be seen how long Richie McCaw will stay in New Zealand.

Clarke says Australian rugby is in a good enough position position to cover the loss of Giteau with Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes still in the mix.

Gareth Edwards backs coach Warren Gatland

Gareth Edwards forces Wales need to follow coach Warren Gatland and learn from the mistakes of their Six Nations opening lost against England on Friday.

England beat by Welsh in their opening 2005 and 2008 Six Nations and both years culminated in Grand Slam glory.

"We all realise the importance of the first Six Nations game," said Jones.

Against England in Cardiff on Friday,Jone will win his 96th cap, hopes the three-year cycle of Six Nations clean-sweeps continue in a vital year for Welsh rugby.

"It would be nice to complete the sequence," added Wales coach Gatland.

"2005, 2008 and 2011 and we couldn't think of a better start than England at home."

It is a must win game for us, it is huge," Jones told BBC Sport.

"And we spoke about what happened in 2005 and 2008. Momentum is key and we must be successful on Friday night."

Kiwis bet on cup boom

To New Zealand's struggling economy this year,Rugby World Cup will help creeping up their economy by NZ$700 million ($540-million) predicted by country's central bank chief.

"The September 9-October 23 tournament was set to lift economic growth by 0.33 percentage points," said reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard.

If the All Blacks win the World Cup for the second time,it would going to be benefit hugely to the state,generating increased confidence across the country said Bollard.

"Our expert team of forecasters predict that, on average, the All Blacks will beat Australia in the final at Eden Park, by 23.9 to 15.6," Bollard told a business function in Christchurch.

"This is very big by New Zealand standards, indicated by the fact that it will add one percentage point to growth in each of the next two years," he said.