It appears that there was a promise made on the day of the bid that New Zealand would guarantee a 60,000 seat stadium for the final (and premier games). 

Cue teeth gnashing and political posturing.  I don’t really wish to comment on the country’s current planning laws only that laws such as these are essential to ensure sustainability and fairness in development, and that they can be hijacked by special interest groups.  Whether they were hijacked in this case is now (hopefully) moot.

My personal stance was that the Waterfront stadium proposal should have been the preferred option.  However I was always concerned about the available time to get that built.  Secondly, once it appeared that Eden Park had become the preferred option I was more than happy with the “legacy” option, with the ground 100% enclosed (25% by the completed ASB stand and 75% by the flash new one) and the improved access and transport options.  One can only hope that whatever is eventually constructed looks good and is more functional than present.

From the artist’s impression of what is proposed (refer the Ministry of Economic Development website   http://www.med.govt.nz/rwc/eden-park/  ) there are some short cuts – but the proposal goes a fair way to providing a venue of which New Zealanders can be, if not be chest burstingly proud, at least not overly embarrassed about: an appropriate solution at an appropriate cost to our meagre economy, by being innovative and operating within the restrictions imposed by the Resource Consent process.

So what stadiums are proposed?

From memory the figure of eleven stadiums were proposed for use in the tournament.   Without the bid in front of me (!) I can’t confirm it but I’m reasonably sure the nine in the list below were definitely proposed to be used.  The P indicates that redevelopment is proposed -:

These assumptions are due to location (Palmy), availability of accommodation (Rottenrua) and their use during the Lions tour.

Jade's "Full Circle" proposal creates a finished bowl stadium - and removed the mismash seen by television viewers on the eastern side of the Lancaster Park ground:

(See Picture - below)

Looks just like a bought one.

Carlaw's development is a surpise to me - not watching a lot of league during recent years in Adelaide I was surpised by the "completeness" of the stadium now:
(See Picture - below)

Waikato is perhaps the best rugby stadium in the country.  Yarrow maximises the natural amphitheatre of what was Rugby Park in New PLymouth, and other Rugby Park, in Invercragill was upgarded in anticipation of the 2003 Rugby World Cup - before that was savagely stolen by dingoes.

(See Picture - below)
Yarrow Stadium

It’s obvious that the higher demand games are going to be played in the better stadiums: Eden Park, Jade, Caketin and possibly Waikato.

Second tier games are likely to be at Albany, Mt Smart, Yarrow with the others picking up the slack.

Which leaves Carisbrook.  This is an embarrassment as it stands.  Unless there is some serious movement on development soon the South Island’s second largest city should be in danger of not hosting a game in the tournament.  An [edit]initial[/edit]internet search for Carisbrook development plans revealed … nothing.  Eventually a search on the Dunedin City Council website revealed an initial report (by consultants Montgomery Watson Harza or MWH or whatever they call themselves now) from October 2004 and then nothing – some interesting options – but only options.  If the people of Dunedin know more please enlighten us.

[edit]A subsequent search by a more skilled researcher discovered that an announcment had been made regarding a proposed new $180m stadium on Duneid's waterront, wit the potential to be roofed - but it appears that this is yet to be completely finalised.[/edit]

One would hope, as I suspect the Government and Queenstown tourism operators do, that the southern Scots sought out their stadium quickly as this is no doubt a portal for the touring fans to the Central Otago and Fiordland attractions.

Other possible Venues
On top of the above stadiums other stadiums considered may possibly include: