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Planning for Rugby World Cup 2011 will gather momentum next week when Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) visits New Zealand for operational meetings with the local organising body, Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Ltd.

The visit, which starts with Rugby World Cup Board and IRB Executive Committee meetings in Auckland on February 17 and 18, will see representatives from RWCL, RNZ 2011 Ltd and the France 2007 Organising Committee meet for four days of discussions to review RWC 2007 and step up preparations for RWC 2011 in New Zealand.

“Rugby World Cup Limited is thoroughly looking forward to the meetings in Auckland and Wellington and the opportunity to continue to further strengthen our excellent working partnership with the local organising team,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“RNZ 2011 has already made considerable progress in terms of operational planning during the past two and a half years since New Zealand was awarded Rugby World Cup 2011 and we are hugely encouraged by the strong level of support for the Tournament in New Zealand, particularly that of the New Zealand Government.

“These meetings really signify the start of a new phase for Rugby World Cup and a shift in focus from the 2007 Tournament to planning in earnest for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.”

Senior Management from the France 2007 Organising Committee, including Chief Executive Officer Etienne Thobois and Tournament Administrator Claude Atcher, will be present for a joint meeting with RWCL and RNZ 2011 representatives, including CEO Martin Snedden, General Manager Tournament Services Nigel Cass and General Manager Corporate Services Therese Walsh to debrief all operational areas of the 2007 Tournament, transfer knowledge and identify key focus areas ahead of RWC 2011.

“The meeting with both the France 2007 and RNZ 2011 Organising Committees is an exciting development as it is the first time such a meeting has taken place between two Rugby World Cup Organising Committees,” said Lapasset.

“It is one of the key reasons RWCL decided to bring forward the hosting tender process for Rugby World Cup so that such an exchange of ideas and learning could occur early in the planning stages for the next Tournament. The forum will provide a valuable platform to review all aspects of Rugby World Cup 2007, which was the most successful RWC ever, and aid planning for RWC 2011.”

RNZ 2011 Ltd CEO Martin Snedden said given the focus had now shifted from France to New Zealand, the upcoming meetings and debrief with the French Organising Committee were a valuable opportunity for the New Zealand organisers to learn not only from the success of the French experience but also gain insight into any areas which did not go to plan.

“This is a critical time in New Zealand’s planning to host Rugby World Cup 2011 so any insight we can gain that will help avoid pitfalls or enhance the presentation of the Tournament will be an asset,” said Snedden

“We are grateful to both RWCL for enabling this debrief and also to the France 2007 Organising Committee for the significant access and assistance they have already provided and are continuing to provide to RNZ 2011.”

In addition to the meetings, the visit also coincides with the arrival of the first RWCL staff in New Zealand with key management being positioned in the Organising Committee offices to jointly work on the delivery of the Tournament.

“A number of senior RWCL Management will have a presence in the RNZ 2011 offices this year. This will allow RWCL to support RNZ 2011 and establish a strong working partnership in the planning and delivery of the Tournament,” added Lapasset.

(Source: IRB)