Rival's file likely to hit hard

By EUGENE BINGHAM

New Zealand's fiercest off-the-field rugby rival, John O'Neill, is about to file damning testimony to the former Chief Justice investigating the country's World Cup debacle.

The Australian Rugby Union chief executive will send Sir Thomas Eichelbaum a statement next week together with supporting documents that will set out the chronology of dealings between New Zealand and Australian officials.

Sir Thomas, who has been appointed to independently investigate the events leading up to New Zealand being stripped of its sub-host role for next year's tournament, is understood to have already received a written account from International Rugby Board chairman Vernon Pugh, QC.

He also has questioned sports minister Trevor Mallard about his role.

Sir Thomas' terms of reference require him to review the sequence of actions or decisions made by New Zealand Rugby Football Union officials regarding the World Cup.

The NZRFU has said that it was not kept informed of important developments regarding the tournament and New Zealand's obligations, especially over the key issue of "clean" stadiums.

Senior New Zealand officials maintain they were not made aware of the meaning of the clean stadium clause in the World Cup contract until February, just before the NZRFU was expected to sign a final sub-host deal.

The O'Neill submission is expected to provide documentary evidence about when New Zealand was made aware of its obligations, including the clean stadiums requirement.

It will also highlight the role of New Zealander Rob Fisher, who sat on the Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) board.

While New Zealand officials have said they suffered through a lack of communication from the IRB or RWCL, the O'Neill submission is expected to cite examples where Mr Fisher's position meant New Zealand became aware of developments before Australia, which did not have a representative on the board.

The submission also will set out how the relationship between the New Zealand and Australian unions deteriorated over the World Cup.

The Australian position will be that while the NZRFU was supposed to be communicating with the ARU as the host union, it insisted on attempting to deal through the IRB.

Sir Thomas questioned Mr Mallard last Friday about his dealings with the NZRFU and Mr Pugh, whom he met in in March at the height of the crisis.

Government documents on the issue include a letter Mr Mallard sent to Mr Pugh just before the IRB met to finally drop New Zealand as a sub-host, and a guarantee that the Government gave to cover millions of dollars in World Cup losses if the tournament went ahead.

The World Cup issue also was raised at Government level.

Mr Mallard sent a letter to his Australian counterpart.

The NZRFU says Sir Thomas is working independently so it is not aware of his progress.

Sir Thomas is to report to the union in several weeks.