Review call over cup fallout

By WYNNE GRAY

Otago rugby boss John Hornbrook suggests an independent review may be the best method to deal with New Zealand's failure to co-host the World Cup.

The NZRFU meets tomorrow when the board will get a full report on how Australia won sole rights to the cup and New Zealand suffered such a hefty defeat.

Rob Fisher and Tim Gresson, delegates to the International Rugby Board, and the support group of chairman Murray McCaw, chief executive David Rutherford and general manager Steve Tew, should all offer their perspectives on the campaign.

There will be strong discussion about any mistakes made by the NZRFU and how the union can restore its international reputation.

Hornbrook, one of the country's most seasoned rugby officials, suggested the best outcome would be an examination by an independent panel.

"A few days ago there was almost mass hysteria and calls for heads to roll, but I think this is a more sensible approach," he said.

"We want something which is fair to all parties.

"We have been kept informed throughout, but we also want some questions answered."

A panel which included business leaders, rugby people and mediators might be best equipped to unravel the complex arguments, otherwise it would be a case of the NZRFU reviewing its own decisions.

"People who were involved in this World Cup for us worked their butts off, but they could be too close to the whole thing to assess what happened," Hornbrook said.

Several other provincial chief executives approached by the Herald did not dismiss the idea, but first wanted to see the result of the NZRFU board meeting.

"I guess it is not a bad suggestion," Taranaki's Paul Easton said.

"But the board members have the first call and they are always reviewing what they do.

"If they felt an independent look was the way to go, then okay."

North Harbour's Doug Rollerson supported the scheme - if the NZRFU agreed.

"If that's what they think after the board meeting, let's do it because we do not want to make mistakes again."

David White, of Auckland, and Malcolm Holmes, of Wellington, said their response would not be available until they had received explanations from the NZRFU.

Since the return of the cup delegation, McCaw has defended the NZRFU's strategies and spoken of the board's collective responsibility in the defeat over co-hosting.

However, some board members will be demanding answers on several fronts.

They will ask if the NZRFU has the most appropriate administrators to restore New Zealand's sagging global reputation.

They will also unpick their World Cup strategies and ask whether they were given all the information on which to make the best choices.