ARU ready to deliver
March 19, 2002

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) officials will hold a meeting at a secret location in London overnight to thrash out a final proposal for the 2003 tournament.

ARU chief executive John O'Neill and two colleagues arrived in London not knowing where their waiting transport was taking them.

At the meeting the ARU will submit its proposal to sole-host the 2003 World Cup and its 48 matches after New Zealand had it invitation to be a sub-host withdrawn.

The ARU says it has satisfied RWCL requirements for "clean" stadia free of advertising, corporate boxes and catering rights. The New Zealand Rugby Football Union had its invitation withdrawn after it could not guarantee "clean" venues.

"We think the ARU will present a very compelling proposal to the RWC board which will deliver an excellent result for RWC Limited and will deliver an excellent tournament and deliver an excellent result for the ARU," ARU spokesman Strath Gordon said.

The biggest hurdle to a successful result for Australia is the RWCL vice-chairman, New Zealand's Rob Fisher, who is bound to raise objections to the ARU's solo proposal as the Kiwis are desperate to regain the right to share the tournament.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices