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NZ Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs has made an impassioned plea for a world-class stadium at Eden Park amid speculation that a cheap upgrade is on the cards for the 2011 World Cup according to The NZ Herald.

"To maximise the benefits of hosting the tournament, Rugby World Cup 2011 needs to be flawlessly delivered and we need to have a centre-stage, world-class, 60,000-seat stadium that all of New Zealand can be proud of," the former All Black captain said.

Mr Hobbs was speaking in Auckland yesterday at the resource consent hearing for a $320 million upgrade of the existing stadium - subsequently notched up by the Eden Park Trust Board to a "legacy masterplan" costing $385 million.

The trust board has $160 million lined up from its own coffers and grants and is hoping taxpayers and ratepayers will fund the $225 million shortfall.

Mr Hobbs said the cup, with an estimated television audience of four billion, was the third-largest global sporting event after the Olympics and the Football World Cup.

"The Rugby World Cup in 2011 will put New Zealand in the global spotlight on a scale we have never seen before, with the legacy for tourism and other aspects of the economy being enormous," Mr Hobbs said. "It is not just an important event for rugby, it is an important event for New Zealand."

There is a growing idea that Eden Park which is rarely full now will become a white elephant after the tournament and the NZ Government may opt for a cheaper upgrade of Eden Park.

Leigh McGregor, one of three independent commissioners hearing the consents application, what it would mean if the Government were to "hack a limb or two off Eden Park to save some money", Mr Hobbs replied: "I sincerely hope not."

"There are some benefits in spending less money, but if you spend less money you get a lot less."

Bernard Orsman spoke to Mr Hobbs after the tournament and he said a lesser upgrade of Eden Park would affect how things looked to the television audience, people attending the event and neighbours.