New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew rates its 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup bid a solid chance of proving successful.
The national body formally confirmed on Saturday it had lodged a bid with World Rugby to host the tournament in New Zealand for the first time.
Auckland's North Harbour Stadium, Waitakere Stadium and Northland's Toll Stadium have been identified as the three major venues for games. Eden Park would likely host the final.
Tew says it will be a competitive hosting rights process, with Australia announcing a strong bid earlier in the week.
"Our chances are really good," Tew tells Newshub.
"I think World Rugby will be faced with a really good problem because they have a good bid from Australia and a good bid from New Zealand, so it's great for the women's game."
"World Rugby will assess the bids, and as we understand it, there's at least ours and Australia's, plus three to four others, so they'll have to work their way through.
"We'll have a site inspection with people from World Rugby coming out - that will give us a chance to reinforce what a great event country New Zealand is."
The Black Ferns have dominated the tournament since the inaugural event in 1991, which was won by the United States.
New Zealand has won five of the past six titles, including a 41-32 win over England in an enthralling final last year in Ireland.
The hosting rights have never been awarded to the southern hemisphere. Canada is the only non-European country to put forward a successful bid, in 2006.
Tew believes the success of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the Lions Tour in 2017 provide examples that New Zealand is up to hosting elite sporting events.
"I don't know why we've never done it in the past. It's obviously an event we'd like to get now, and the timing's perfect.
"We've certainly proven we are a country that can host major events - that's the first thing and most important that will be on the minds of World Rugby.
"Secondly the Black Ferns are on an enormous high. As we speak the women's game is growing exponentially and it's a great opportunity in this part of the world to further demonstrate where the women's game can go."
Tew tells Newshub there was interest from cities outside of the upper North Island, but ultimately the selected venues ticked all the boxes in terms of proximity and facilities.
"We got a number of offers from cities," Tew says.
"We think the three venues in Auckland, plus Whangarei, give us the best flexibility and scope to present the World Cup and the scale of stadia we want... and to keep the tournament close both for the teams and also for the public that will travel here, so we are very happy with the choice of venues.
"Tauranga and Rotorua were in the mix and we're very grateful for their interest, but we chose Auckland and particularly Albany and Whangarei as the most appropriate."
Tew confirms Eden Park will not be considered for anything other than a final; however, the ground does give flexibility to the bid, making a 40,000-plus crowd possible for the marquee game of women's rugby.
Newshub.
