IRB plan to trim our cup schedule

By WYNNE GRAY

The New Zealand Rugby Union is facing a series of financial fights about the next World Cup and the pulling power of the All Blacks.

As host for the 2003 World Cup, Australia expects to ratify its agreement document at a board meeting this week and then send the NZRFU its sub-host details.

Sources overseas suggest that the document may seek to reduce New Zealand's involvement in the tournament, including an offer from Australia to buy the second semifinal as a way of pushing the NZRFU towards a profit.

Members of the International Rugby Board and Rugby World Cup met in Dublin last week and while the NZRFU got reports, they were not represented physically at the meeting.

Board member Rob Fisher was in Europe on business and in contact with the IRB, and NZRFU chief executive David Rutherford did not travel.

NZRFU attempts to claim a greater share of gate takings for overseas matches involving the All Blacks also received a strong rebuff.

England chief executive Francis Baron said any such request would have to be put before the IRB, and a report in the Sunday Times said the Home Unions were firmly against the NZRFU demands.

Under the arrangements for international gate takings, the host union retains all the income after expenses.

But the NZRFU believes it is losing out because of the spectator appeal of the All Blacks and wants to share gate receipts both home and away.

"I don't see why we should be penalised for the fact that we have created state-of-the-art-stadiums with high capacity," a Home Union official told the Sunday Times.

"The difference with the situation in other unions is just a commercial fact of life."

England officials have long pointed out they can sell out Twickenham for any test, not just those games involving the All Blacks.

This year the NZRFU indicated it would back Australia's push for a Super 14 in 2003 in exchange for its support over the gate takings scheme and an altered season schedule.

It remains unclear whether the Australians have carried through with their part in the arrangement.

In other NZRFU matters, today is the deadline given for those players who want to opt out of the next tour to Ireland, Scotland and Argentina because of the US raids on Afghanistan.

It is also believed the NZRFU's policy on Super 12 coaches may have to be altered if Crusaders coach Robbie Deans is to join John Mitchell as the All Blacks coaching coordinator.

Deans is keen apparently to assist Mitchell but not if it means dispensing with his Crusaders duties