Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd released to its regional stakeholders requests for information packs which detail all of the background on the tournament, key criteria and information required for potential applicants.
Stuart Heal, who is helping orchestrate the campaign to bring games to the South, said although he had not seen the information packs, he doubted they differed much from an earlier draft he had seen.
He said the biggest way to convince decision-makers to put games in the South was to sell out Carisbrook on July 12, when the All Blacks play the Springboks.
"I can't put too much emphasis on that. If we can sell out the test match, that would make a hell of a positive impact on our submission," Heal said.
RNZ 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden said yesterday's release signalled the match and team allocation was moving up a gear.
Included in the packs were minimum technical specifications needed for match venues, training venues and accommodation.
Snedden said he was delighted with the way regions, cities and towns had prepared themselves to take advantages of the opportunities the World Cup would bring.
Heal said he was confident venues in Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown would meet all requirements, and an united approach from all councils and unions from south of the Waitaki River was undoubtedly helping.
He said Nelson-Marlborough, Christchurch, and Timaru were putting in separate bids, but Snedden has made it clear in earlier meetings he wanted regional bids.
Heal doubted the release of the packs yesterday would contain anything surprising for the team organising the Southern campaign, and was confident it would stay united, which was crucial for attracting teams and games.
The tourism strengths of areas such as Queenstown and Milford Sound would help the Southern region bid, and he said events such as the Blossom Festival, and wine festivals, if dates were shifted, would help the case.
There was little negative talk around the Southern bid, and rugby people were committed to the project.
He suspected the South Island would get one pool of 10 games, and the All Blacks-led pool would be mobile, with at least two of the four All Blacks games in the South Island, and hopefully one in Dunedin.
All the information on the team and pool allocation was required by the end of October, with an announcement on pool venues in March or April next year, and team bases in late 2009.
