Christchurch, official home of the Australian team for Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011, is preparing to welcome Wallabies fans, following the opening of ticket applications for the tournament.

Christchurch Cathedral

More than 85,000 people are set to travel to New Zealand for RWC 2011, with Christchurch the host city for five pool matches, building up to two Christchurch quarter-finals in early October.

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince said: “The enthusiasm in Christchurch and Canterbury to host visitors from around the world is building rapidly – we can’t wait to give the Wallabies fans a chance to see the heart of the South Island, where the first Rugby Club was founded in New Zealand and where passion for the Game continues to be at its best.”

All five pool matches will be played at Stadium Christchurch, which will be well placed to show off a $60 million revamp.

Some memorable national and international matches have been played at the stadium over the years, and Rugby World Cup 2011 will be the highlight in the stadium’s history.

Around 45,000 people will be able to attend each Rugby World Cup 2011 match at Stadium Christchurch and see the very best that Rugby has to offer. 

The five pool matches being played at Stadium Christchurch are:

10 September – England v Argentina
11 September – Australia v Italy
18 September – England v Georgia
25 September – Argentina v Scotland
1 October – Australia v Russia

The two quarter-finals are then being held in Christchurch in early October.