World Cup: New Zealand still hopeful
March 25, 2002

New Zealand boss David Rutherford is flying to Paris for urgent World Cup talks with French Rugby Federation president Bernard Lapasset.

Kiwi officials are still holding out hope that New Zealand will be reinstated sub-host of next year's competition, and it has been reported that both France and Scotland, who were due to be based in Christchurch during the event, would like to see New Zealand back on the agenda.

Australia has submitted a proposal to host all 48 matches at the World Cup after New Zealand failed to agree to the terms in the original contract, saying it would be unable to provide "clean stadia" to the organisers.

Rutherford refused to confirm or deny if talks were being held with Lapasset but New Zealand is doing everything it possibly can to win back the sub-hosting rights.

NZRFU chairman Murray McCaw met with IRB boss Vernon Pugh last week at the Beijing Sevens as part of ongoing talks.

New Zealand will need the support of both France and New Zealand at the April 12 International Rugby Board council meeting to have any chance of retaining their co-host status.

Lapasset said he would personally be extremely sorry if New Zealand were not sub-hosts. "The image of New Zealand in world rugby, especially in France, is so strong that it would be a major trauma if they were to be excluded."

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