Time to scotch another rumour

By WYNNE GRAY

It was a convenient rumour the New Zealand Rugby Union was keen to preserve,

A report that chief executive David Rutherford was flying to Paris for urgent World Cup talks suited an impression that the union was doing everything to save its status as sub-hosts.

If Rutherford was said to be meeting French rugby president and influential International Rugby Board delegate Bernard Lapasset in a bid to broker some deal, that was even better.

In these delicate times of international brinkmanship, it was therefore appropriate that the union avoid comment. With a parallel claim that Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill had been called unexpectedly to Britain to meet IRB chairman Vernon Pugh, it seemed the New Zealand union might be making World Cup headway.

It was a good look and a good time to fuel the latest World Cup theory by avoiding any comment or reaction.

However, inquiries by the Herald yesterday revealed different reasons for the travel plans of Rutherford and O'Neill.

Rutherford left last night for Paris, but en route to Treviso in Italy where he would perform several duties. As the Sanzar representative, he would attend a scheduled IRB committee meeting about international schedules, a committee which would be chaired by Lapasset.

While in Treviso, Rutherford would also watch New Zealand play in the world under-19 championship and either there or during IRB discussions, would no doubt talk about the cup debacle with Lapasset.

Meanwhile the Australian union said O'Neill's return trip to Britain was part of the 21-day package it had been given to negotiate their deal to be sole host of next year's cup.

"Our period concludes on Friday and we see no obstacles to our proposal before then," a spokesman said.

"We are confident the proposal will be the basis of the Rugby World Cup board's recommendation to the IRB council."

After O'Neill submitted the Australian proposal to RWCL last week he flew to Hong Kong to watch the international sevens before returning to Britain, as scheduled, for Friday's negotiating deadline.

The trip had no connection with Rutherford's visit to talk to Lapasset.

However, these are times of heavy rumour, supposition and theory as the countdown to the full council meeting of the IRB looms on April 12.

During that meeting the IRB will decide whether New Zealand should be allowed to stay as World Cup sub-host, a status withdrawn on March 8 when the New Zealand union would not sign an agreement.

The IRB will also consider the Australian bid to host all 48 matches or whether there should be some other hosting arrangement.