The tickets, which are designed to reflect the style of the host nation, will be delivered by mail over the next three weekends, whilst those opting to pick their tickets up personally can do so from Ticketek outlets from May 30.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "This is a moment that truly brings Rugby World Cup 2011 to life for fans in New Zealand and around the world."

"As we draw nearer to the 100 days to go milestone, there is no doubt that Rugby World Cup 2011 will be a successful tournament.

"All partners are committed to delivering an outstanding event - a tournament that New Zealanders and the global Rugby family will be proud of."

Martin Snedden, chief executive for Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011), added: "This is an exciting moment for fans, particularly those who purchased tickets a year ago.

"It is a tangible sign that the Tournament is drawing near.

"This is the biggest ticket sales campaign ever undertaken in New Zealand so it's great to finally get to this point."

RNZ 2011 has also confirmed that it has completed refunds for 129,000 fans who bought tickets to games in Christchurch, from where games had to be rescheduled after a devastating earthquake hit the town in February.

Those fans will receive priority when booking seats in their new venues, which will begin next week.

Before the refunds were implemented, Rugby New Zealand 2011 had sold 919,000 tickets, bringing in $189 million (£92 million), in line with sales for previous tournaments in France and Australia.

"Pre-Christchurch, ticket sales were exactly where we expected them to be," Snedden said.

"The transfer of matches so close to kick-off is unprecedented for any major event and has created significant additional challenges, but we remain confident that we should be able to recoup the bulk of the refunded sales within the next two months or so.

"In addition, RNZ 2011 has the appropriate insurance arrangements in place for this type of incident."

The final round of sales will begin on July 4, and Snedden encouraged fans who have not yet booked a ticket for the tournament to do so quickly.

"For those who have always intended going to RWC 2011 but who haven't yet purchased tickets, July 4 is a key date.

"From this day we will be putting on sale remaining tickets, either over the counter at Ticketek outlets, by phone or through the Tournament website www.rugbyworldcup.com."

"Tickets will remain on sale until they are gone and we urge fans to get in quick as this really will represent the last opportunity to secure a place ringside at Rugby's biggest Tournament.

"The final sales phase is traditionally a strong sales period for major events.

"As was the case in Australia in 2003 and France in 2007 we fully expect that to be the case in New Zealand."

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