Rugby fans looking to go to the World Cup still have a number of options in terms of getting there, writes SANDRA O'CONNELL
GETTING AROUND is another matter however.
The tournament will see 48 matches take place in 13 venues spread across the country’s two main islands, from September 9th to October 23rd.
Logistically, the easiest way to go is with an organised rugby tour. It’s also the best way of guaranteeing you get match tickets.
Trevor Brennan Rugby Tours, whose celebrity tour manager is TV pundit Brent Pope, has just three rooms left from its original hotel allocation.
When these are filled – and, according to spokesperson Mark Pinsent, there has been a flurry of booking activity in the past 10 days as excitement builds – further bookings can be made but late bookers may not be able to stay in the same hotels as its main tour group.
Pinsent estimates 400 Ireland rugby fans will travel from Ireland to NZ on official rugby tours such as his, with another 500 travelling independently.
Many more Irish people living in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia will attend.
“For those planning on travelling independently flight prices are pretty good right now and match tickets are still available for most games but the problem is the accommodation,” says Pinsent.
Ireland’s first match, Ireland v Australia, takes place in Auckland, on the North Island. From there it’s down to Dunedin on the South Island and, if we make it to the quarter finals, back across to Wellington.
“Hotels in all those places will be jammers,” says Pinsert, who is just back from a second inspection tour of hotels for the tournament.
His company has a number of package options. These include its Sprinter Tour from the September 7th to 19th, a 13-day, nine-night option (two days either end are spent travelling) taking in Ireland v USA and Ireland v Australia, plus Samoa v Namibia at Rotorua.
“That first game against the US is played on the 10th anniversary of September 11th, so will be more than just a match,” says Pinsert. The cost for this package is €3,999.
It is also offering its High Impact Tour, from September 28th to October 13th, which includes the Ireland v Italy game, plus both quarter finals in Wellington, for €4,999.
Its longest option is a five-week tour taking in Ireland v USA, Australia, Russia, Italy and the quarter finals in Wellington, plus Wales v Samoa and Samoa vNamibia. This tour costs €7,999.
Of course, if you get to that point and Ireland is still in the tournament, you’re not going to want to go home.
“If we get further than that we will set up camp to accommodate those guys on the phone ringing credit unions and credit card companies looking to stay on,” says Pinsent.
Killester Travel is also offering official Rugby World Cup tours, with tickets guaranteed.
It is still selling packages, including for the Ireland pool and for latter stages of the tournament.
“We have filled our committed allocation but are still selling packages on request,” says spokesperson Paddy Baird.
“Accommodation near matches is tight right now, however closer to the time this may change. The good hotels will always be sold out but there are some properties, in not such good locations, that thought they could ride on the coat tails of others that may find they have availability.”
Price inflation has been enormous in some cases, he cautions. “We have heard of some which would typically charge NZ$250 a night now charging NZ$800 .”
Killester Travel, whose celebrity tour manager is Mick Galway, has four tour packages, the most popular of which is its 27-day, five-match Albatross Tour. This takes in Ireland v Australia, Russia and Italy, plus two quarter finals.
The majority of his customers are in the 50 and over age group but he has seen great interest among 20-30 year olds, “plus couples of all ages with strong marriages” for its campervan tour package option.
Designed for more independent travellers, this lasts 31 days and takes in five matches (Ireland’s pool matches plus two quarter finals) departing September 13th.
Prices here, which include match tickets and a range of campervans holding from two to six people, start at €3,450 each for six people in a six berth camper, to €4,450 for two people in a two berth.
“It is the cheapest way to go but there are extras to factor in including ferry costs between the islands, and the cost of campsites each night,” cautions Baird. “We’ve had to point out to a few people that they can’t just expect to pull up beside a stadium before each game and waltz in.”
Those wishing to put together independent rugby tour packages can buy match tickets online from rugbyworldcup.com, the official site.
Ticket prices vary, ranging from NZ$31 (€18) to $97 (€56) for the Ireland v USA game, or from NZ$66 (€38) to $153 (€88.50) for the Ireland v Italy game. Tickets for the final are sold out. The site also has a dedicated accommodation link which allows you search for hotels close to each game.
At the time of writing, return flights from Dublin to Auckland are available in the first week in September from eBookers, returning first week in October, from €1,250 with Etihad, making three stops along the way.
While there are still tickets unsold due, say some, to the recession and Christchurch earthquake, the tour operators say they’ve had healthy numbers booking.
“Demand has turned out to be two to three times what we initially expected,” says Paddy Baird of Killester Travel. “The Rugby World Cup only comes around every four years, and to have it in New Zealand, where it hasn’t been since 1987, means people are viewing it very much as the trip of a lifetime.”