2 Feb 2011

Rugby boss supports idea of Dunedin fanzone

7:53 pm on 2 February 2011

The chairman of the International Rugby Board says he is pushing for the establishment of a fanzone in Dunedin for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

In January, the Dunedin City Council rejected a $300,000 fanzone proposed for the Octagon.

Mayor Dave Cull said the city has already gone into unprecedented debt to get ready for the tournament and it was too much money for ratepayers who have already paid more than $100 million toward a new stadium.

On Wednesday, IRB chair Bernard Lapasset toured the Forsyth Barr Stadium, saying he supports fanzones and believes one in Dunedin would be a huge success.

The tournament begins on 9 September, with the final to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on 23 October.