NZ confirm 2011 dates

The exact dates of the tournament have not yet been decided.

"We are committed to staging the best Rugby World Cup possible. The confirmation of the tournament timing is ideal for us in terms of weather considerations and the opportunities to showcase New Zealand at that time of the year," New Zealand 2011 Ltd chairman Jock Hobbs said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Japanese officials have confirmed that the country will make a formal bid to host the 2015 event.

After losing out to New Zealand in the race for 2011, the Japan Rugby Football Union is anxious to bring the finals to Asia for the first time.

"We have decided to go ahead and make preparations to formally bid for the 2015 rugby World Cup," JRFU president Yoshiro Mori said.

"The support we received ... both in Japan and around the world, helped us greatly in making this decision.

"For rugby to truly become a global sport, the game needs to utilise all that Asia has to offer."

Mori, a former Japanese prime minister, added: "A Rugby World Cup in Asia will help greatly in promoting this wonderful game."