Government ministers to meet world cup officials

Government Ministers will tomorrow meet with international rugby bosses to brief them on progress relating to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) officials and executives from the International Rugby Board (IRB) began a visit to New Zealand at the weekend.

Meetings between executives and local organising body Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ) were held yesterday and again today in Auckland.

Tomorrow they head to Wellington where they will meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark and Sports Minister Clayton Cosgrove.

Mr Cosgrove said the visit was an important opportunity to brief the officials on the Government's work programme relating to the Cup including underwriting the redevelopment of Eden Park, amending the school holiday dates for 2011 and passing the Major Events Management Act to block ambush marketing.

Senior management from the France 2007 organising committee will be present for the meetings.

Mr Cosgrove said he hoped to learn how the French organisers of the 2007 World Cup had managed such a successful event.

- NZPA