By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Hamilton, Sept 9 NZPA - Nerves about ticket sales and fears that a projected $30 million loss could grow took a back seat for New Zealand's rugby World Cup organisers today.

In a gathering in Hamilton to mark exactly two years until the 2011 tournament starts, politicians and rugby officials alike made positive noises that all is on target for a successful event.

Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden struggled to identify any logistical problems although he admitted financial forecasting for the tournament remained cloudy and would not clear up until tickets went on sale early next year.

He said initial estimates that the tournament would cost $310m to run remained accurate, but it was difficult to estimate whether the sale of a maximum 1.7m tickets to the 48 games -- the sole revenue stream for organisers -- could reach the target of $280m.

That would result in a loss of $30m, which will be underwritten by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Government.

Snedden was in no position to guarantee that figure would not increase.

"We're taking a bit of a step into the unknown," he said.

"We hope we've got the best balance we can get in terms of ticket pricing and the way it will be distributed.

"But in the end it won't be until we're live (selling) that we know the answer to that.

"The budget still stands at $30 million (loss) but it's undoubtedly under a wee bit of pressure."

Despite those concerns, Snedden was all smiles today, along with a host of other dignitaries, including Prime Minister John Key, International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset, chief executive Mike Miller and NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs.

Another special guest was the Webb Ellis Cup itself, gleaming in the sunshine at Waikato Stadium.

Snedden was confident the groundwork was in place for an outstanding tournament on the field, with construction targets having been met at all the venues which are undergoing development.

That included Auckland's Eden Park, site of the opening match between New Zealand and Tonga, and the semifinals and final.

It is being extended to seat 60,000 people and is six weeks ahead of schedule.

After viewing Eden Park yesterday, Lapasset and the IRB was confident the seventh global tournament was on course to be a success.

The only venue question mark surrounds whether Dunedin's new, covered stadium will be built in time to host pool matches.

If not, Carisbrook will be used but Snedden said organisers would give the Dunedin community as much time as possible to get the new stadium ready. Its progress would be rigorously inspected in July.

"While there is still much to do, the level of co-operation across the country has been unprecedented. There is a real desire not just to get this right, but to be exceptional," Snedden said.

"While hosting a great rugby tournament is of the utmost importance, it will be the friendly welcome, top-notch service and `Kiwi' experience that guests will take home with them and remember for years to come."

Key said the tournament was an opportunity to expose New Zealand in the best light to millions of viewers worldwide and it was important to take advantage.

He was comfortable with the level of Government financial support and aware of the risk associated with ticket sales.

"The good news is that the tournament is two years away. If we were hosting it this year, you would be under real pressure because corporates around the world who buy the big packages and do the large entertaining events are tightening their belts at the moment," he said.

Tickets to most pool games will be modestly priced but seats at the final will cost an average of $800. The average cost of semifinal and quarterfinal tickets will be about $600 and $450 respectively.

"I know ticket prices are high compared to what people are used to paying. But this is a one-off, people may not get to see it for a very long time again and I think people will have to weigh up whether to part with the cash and be part of a magnificent tournament or not," Key said.

"In the end, I think people will say `that's something I want to be part of'.

"People who turned up in 1987 (inaugural tournament in New Zealand) certainly got their money's worth."

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