O'Neill rolls out welcome to New Zealand rugby fans

9.00am

Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill has offered a trans-Tasman olive branch by saying he will increase the number of tickets available to New Zealand fans to support the All Blacks at the World Cup next year.

O'Neill said it was important that trans-Tasman relations thawed following the tension-filled lead-up to last night's decision by the International Rugby Board to award the ARU sole host status.

O'Neill, a controversial figure in New Zealand because of his merciless business sense, possibly sensed an early chance to promote ticket sales when he made the offer after last night's IRB meeting.

"Needless to say there is some healing to be done and we will start that process by increasing the number of tickets available to New Zealand supporters to see their All Blacks play at the Rugby World Cup," O'Neill said.

"I am certain that New Zealanders will get behind the All Blacks, as they always do.

"They are among the most passionate rugby supporters in the world, so I am sure whether it is on television or following the All Blacks wherever they play, New Zealand fans will get behind their team."

New Zealand Rugby Football Union chairman Murray McCaw said the trans-Tasman neighbours needed to work together for the good of the game.

"It's almost like a marriage, there's going to be disputes now and then," McCaw told NZPA.

"It certainly doesn't need a marriage guidance councillor to pull it together. What it does mean is that there some fences which will need to mended on both sides and we just need to work through it positively together."

McCaw rejected any suggestion that IRB delegates had voted against a co-host relationship because the two countries would not be able to work together.

"I don't think it had anything to do with relationships -- either between us and the IRB or between us and the ARU.

"From our point of view we have to move forward on those relationships and continue to build them. It's critical for us."

McCaw's comments would please the IRB, who reportedly feared legal action from New Zealand after the announcement.

In its statement, it said: "There is little doubt that relationships have been damaged as a result of these unhappy events. The IRB now holds out the hope that all parties will accept the final outcome with dignity, and that the truly international spirit which cements the sport will quickly heal any wounds."

The two countries co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup, in 1987, with New Zealand main hosts.

O'Neill pledged that Australia would stage the best World Cup ever.

"We are rolling up our sleeves and getting down to work," he said.

"We have been obsessive about hosting this World Cup, and with good reason. World rugby has a great opportunity to stage an event of the highest quality, and the ARU possesses the expertise to do that.

"In terms of our preparation, we are well down the track, but time is of the essence. We have set some critical timelines to ensure this event will be every bit as good as people expect.

"We have the track record, we've made the commitment and we will put our hearts into it. It will be the 'players' cup."