Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ) had nominated yesterday as the cut-off day for the lodgings of hosting proposals for the 40 pool matches and for team bases during the tournament.
RNZ chief executive Martin Snedden said of the 18 regional proposals, 11 have applied to host pool matches, compromising 16 separate match venues, while seven regions have applied to host teams only.
The regions which have applied to host pool matches are Northland, Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson-Tasman region, Christchurch and the southern region.
Auckland and the southern region contain three venues while Bay of Plenty's proposal includes two venues.
All of these regions wish to host teams, while regions which want to only host teams are Marlborough, Tairawhiti (Poverty Bay-East Coast), Taupo, Timaru, Ashburton, West Coast and Wanganui.
Snedden said an initial look at proposals was they that were of a high quality and reflected the passion of the regions.
The southern lobby group, involving 19 groups south of the Waitaki River, has been working away for 18 months under the chairmanship of Wanaka businessmen Ian Farrant.
He said yesterday it was impossible for local councils to fully commit financially three years out without going through the long-term council community planning process.
The southern bid illustrated the the proud rugby tradition and passion within the region.
Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin were all capable of hosting games.
The bid wanted to host six games in the South, comprising one All Black pool match, and other games from the South Island pool.
There will be festivals around the region to encourage visitors to stay longer, with a "spin it wide" campaign to co-ordinate regional activity and to motivate public participation.
Farrant said the tournament had key philosophies of a platform for superb rugby, a stadium of four million people, a rugby festival, and a uniquely New Zealand experience, all attributes that the southern bid brings to the table.
The announcement of match venues and dates is expected in the middle of next year.
