The new National Sports Centre's northern field will be christened next month when the World Rugby Classic moves for the first time from National Sports Club.

And light poles are scheduled to be erected this week, in time for the first game under lights there on Wednesday, November 14.

The Classic, now in its 14th year, will make its debut at the new location on Sunday, November 11 with an afternoon double-header between New Zealand and Bermuda at 2.00 and the United States and defending champions South Africa at 3.30.

Classic organiser John Kane, who began the event back in 1988, is excited about the venue switch, a change forced upon the officials after Nationals was sold this year and converted into a school by Montessori Academy. Domestic rugby, however, will remain at Nationals for the time being.

"We were moving into the new millennium and basically we always hoped we would make enough money to upgrade the facilities at Nationals but we never got to that point," said Kane.

"Nationals was starting to get a bit jaded for us up to the point that we were covering up too many cracks. Now moving to this new stadium is going to give the whole tournament a good boost.

"The timing was perfect, actually, it couldn't have been better, other than (waiting) one more year when the stadium was completely finished. At the same time they brought a lot of projects forward and the lights were not in the original plan for this year."

When the search began for a new location a number of other grounds were considered, but the new stadium field was the perfect location, more so than the southern field where a grandstand has been erected.

"The stands would be of no use to us because we have to have corporate hospitality at our event, so what we will do basically is duplicate what we had down at National Sports Club.

"We will have a lot more seating and lot more bleachers there for the general public but one side of the field will be all corporate hospitality and obviously we couldn't do that at the original centre. That wouldn't work for us."

The playing surface and the lights will no doubt be top quality.

"It is going to be a wonderful new facility from the the point of view that the playing surface and the lights will be a benefit for both the spectators and television," explained Kane.

"Next year, or whenever the cricket pavilion is finished, we will have a sporting arena which is basically in keeping with what we have in mind for the Classic.

"There is seating there (northern field) for 2,000 people already and that will do for the general public. We will also bring in seating as well. It will be a worthwhile location."

The same eight teams will be competing again this year, with South Africa, who routed defending champions Argentina 40-0 in the Millennium final, starting as one of the favourites.

The Classic is generally considered to be the Seniors' World Cup of Rugby, with ex-internationals who have reached the age of 33 eligible to participate. Some of the world's greatest players have taken part in the annual festival.

"Sponsorship has come very much into place, we've had a nice boost this year as television is very important to us - that promotes both the Island and the tournament itself around the world - and we're delighted that XL Capital are going to be the television sponsor," said Kane.

"So when this programme goes out around the world it will be known as the XL Capital World Rugby Classic of Bermuda. It's great to get that support from XL.

"It (television coverage) usually goes out within three weeks of the event and will go out on Sky Sports in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere and on Fox Sports in the United States, Canada, the Southern Hemisphere, South America, the Far East and also Europe."

There was some concerns about the participation of teams because of the terrorist activities in the United States, but teams have confirmed they will be coming.

"We had a lot of teams expressing their concerns about the terrorist situation, but we're very definite that this event goes on," said Kane.

Schedule

Sunday, November 11: New Zealand v Bermuda (match A, 2.00); USA v South Africa (match B, 3.30)

Monday, November 12: Argentina v Portugal/Spain (match C, 2.00); Canada v Classic Lions (match D, 3.30)

Tuesday, November 13: World Rugby Classic Golf Tournament

Wednesday, November 14: Loser of match A v loser of match B (7.00); Winner of match A v winner of match B (8.30).

Thursday, November 15: Loser of match C v loser of match D (7.00); Winner of match C v winner of match D (8.30)

Friday, November 16: Corporate Golf Tournament, Up Front party.

Sunday, November 18: Plate final, 2.00; Classic final, 3.30