Eden Park is set to be the venue for the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup after Cabinet today abandoned its preferred waterfront site in the face of Auckland opposition.
Sports Minister Trevor Mallard said North Harbour Stadium would be the back-up option if unforeseen problems emerged with the Eden Park redevelopment.
Mr Mallard, the minister in charge of the Rugby World Cup, said he was "disappointed" the Government's preferred waterfront stadium was not going ahead as this had been a chance to do something different.
Mr Mallard has said previously that Eden Park would be a "poor second option" which showed Auckland lacked vision.
"I think the people now should just focus on going forward and to having a wonderful Rugby World Cup, having a stadium which can be used for other things as well and having one which is probably better designed as a result of this process," he said today.
