Snubbed off the rugby map? No, says the IRB

Where's New Zealand?

The International Rugby Board says it did not snub New Zealand in promotional material for next year's Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand and a number of other countries have been left out off a world map which is part of a graphic for next year's world cup.

In an email update sent to fans 12 days ago from The Front Row England 2015, RWC organisers included the graphic with facts about the upcoming competition and a world map, with New Zealand absent.

An IRB spokesman said that as defending champions, New Zealand, along with all the participating teams, were central to a Rugby World Cup that would have "rugby and fan experience at heart".

"There is no snub. We are at the beginning of an exciting month of promotion that will feature all the participating teams, including New Zealand who feature heavily in England Rugby 2015's current Front Row newsletter.

"With a little over a year to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off, it is great that there is so much interest in the tournament and we look forward to welcoming fans from New Zealand and all over the world to England 2015."

A spokeswoman from The Front Row England 2015 said the newsletter had "several prominent stories, photos and graphics on New Zealand, including on the front page, and we look forward to welcoming NZ players and fans to England next year".

New Zealand Rugby declined to comment yesterday, saying it was a matter for the tournament organisers.

However, it pointed out there was "plenty of ABs content" in the email, which featured a 'Fan Focus' segment on Kiwi fans, and a small profile of Kieran Read, described as "an indispensable part of the No.1 ranked side in the world".

A closer inspection of the map suggests the RWC 2015 organisers might have failed their geography exams, as the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Japan and all the Pacific Islands also appeared to be missing.

The absence follows a promotional video released earlier this week by world cup officials, which failed to feature any All Blacks, despite a line-up of players from a host of other nations.