New Zealand is still holding out hope it will sub-host next year's World Cup after the New Zealand sports minister Trevor Mallard met with International Rugby Board chairman Vernon Pugh.

Mallard called for "goodwill" and "compromise" on both sides following the hour and a half meeting with Pugh on Wednesday.

"I got a good hearing, he indicated to me there was a process whereby New Zealand can be considered...the door is not closed," Mr Mallard told AAP.

"He undertook to take care of that process and make sure New Zealand had a proper opportunity and I think we are in a position where at least (we have) a toe is in the door."

Mallard says he gave the Australian sports minister Rod Kemp and Pugh a document with legal opinion explaining why the NZRFU couldn't meet the "clean stadia" criteria.

The ARU and the IRB withdrew its invitation to New Zealand to host 23 of the 48 matches because the NZRFU would not be able to meet the commercial terms stipulated in the contract.

The NZRFU hit back by claiming that the ARU also would not be able to provide 100 percent commercially clean stadia.

The IRB council will have the final say on New Zealand's sub-host status at a council meeting in Dublin on April 12.

Mallard said he had met local rugby officials this morning to brief them on his meetings and the "opportunity" that existed to sort out the stand-off.

Asked why the NZRFU hadn't gone with him to see Pugh, he replied: "It was important that there was someone involved who Mr Pugh knew...and probably didn't have the relationship problem which has developed".

Mallard said it was now up to the NZRFU to convince the world organisers or "in the end" the IRB of its ability to meet "reasonable conditions".