RWC

They came, they saw, and the All Blacks conquered.

The effects of hosting the Rugby World Cup last year are expected to feature in a substantial way in data being released this week by Statistics New Zealand.

The Dunedin City Council's bill for the Rugby World Cup has more than doubled to $760,000, but deputy mayor Chris Staynes insists the inflated amount is money well spent.

Doom and gloom in sport used to refer to Rugby World Cup droughts, or being bowled out for 26. Now it is more likely to refer to balance sheets and bad debts. Beginning our series examining the state of professional sport, sports editor Hayden Meikle gives an overview of the issues to debate.

The professional rugby era has not been kind to New Zealand.

Adam Morton, formerly of Manchester, is excited about the Rugby World Cup.

Auckland International Airport (AIA) is expected to be a major beneficiary of the Rugby World Cup later this year and the results are expected to flow on to the 2012 financial year.

Former Otago B lock Justin Ives has made it into the Japan World Cup squad, overcoming an injury fear earlier this month, while Otago prop Halani Aulika has made the Tongan team.

Logan Park could yet become a giant car park for thousands of fans heading to Otago Stadium during this year's Rugby World Cup.