Haden bobs up as cup promoter

Andy Haden may not be replaced. Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Look who's back. Andy Haden has returned to promote Rugby World Cup 2011, despite being forced to resign as an ambassador.

The controversy-plagued former All Black says he was approached by the NZ 2011 office soon after leaving his role as one of six official ambassadors in July.

Haden attended six pre-test functions in Sydney before last night's Bledisloe Cup match against Australia, including a marquee event at a restaurant in downtown Sydney attended by a who's who of the rugby world.

Guests included tournament organiser Martin Snedden, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew and the high command of the International Rugby Board. Some were understood to be gobsmacked that Haden attended.

Haden said his unpaid role was virtually the same as his earlier work. "I didn't invite myself and I didn't gatecrash. I'm involved on the same basis as I was before - it's what is expected of me."

Haden jumped before he was pushed from his role as a World Cup ambassador in July after making inflammatory remarks on race and rape.

Speaking on television after the Robin Brooke sex scandal, he said women sometimes only realised they'd been raped "after the cheque bounces". He previously claimed that the Crusaders rugby franchise had a race-based selection policy which only allowed them to recruit three "darkies" each season.

Yesterday Haden said: "As far as I'm concerned it's irrelevant whether (my current and former roles) are connected. I have been asked to do work for them. I was happy to do that."

However, World Cup Minister Murray McCully denied Haden was employed in an official capacity. He said: "Andy Haden ceased to be a 2011 ambassador some time ago. I made it clear at that time that he had made a valuable contribution and that he would be welcome to continue to support next year's tournament.

"If he wants to go to a sponsor's cocktail evening then that's his business. I haven't asked him to do anything."

McCully was praised by Prime Minister John Key for his tough stance on Haden.

Haden's role involves attracting mega-wealthy investors to New Zealand.

He recently brought out the heads of 10 private equity funds who look after $400 billion worth of investment capital.

"That's the sort of money that the 2011 office wants access to.

"It's all to do with getting people who have the ability to invest in New Zealand, and I have been responsible for assembling quite a lot of those people. I don't see any conflict. They knew that I have those contacts and they are quite pleased to still have access to them."