New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) chief executive David Rutherford had a lengthy telephone link-up with French rugby president Bernard Lapasset on Wednesday, just hours before a French statement denied that any meeting between the pair would take place.

The wording of the statement is interesting, because L'Equipe journalist Ian Borthwick, a Kiwi who has worked in France for many years, said on Wednesday that Rutherford and Lapasset had spoken and were likely to talk again when the pair were involved in an International Rugby Board working party meeting in Italy in the next couple of days.

The talks come as New Zealand battles to sub-host next year's World Cup. Rutherford is certain to be involved in numerous other meetings with top rugby brass from now to the end of the world under-19 tournament in Venice.

Meanwhile, suggestions of French support for New Zealand have clearly ruffled a few feathers. Wednesday 's French statement was issued under the flag of the IRB and denied that any meeting would take place between Lapasset and Rutherford.

Reports that the pair were meeting to discuss New Zealand's parlous 2003 sub-host position "are without foundation", the statement said.

But the French appear to be having a dollar each way with the statement then saying: "The FFR (French Rugby Federation) remained hopeful that constructive dialogue may yet take place between the NZRFU and the board of directors of Rugby World Cup Ltd."

Borthwick said on Wednesday that despite the statement, the pair had spoken. "They were intending to meet on Wednesday in Paris," he said. "But I understand travel arrangements for Rutherford did not work out.

"What happened is that they spoke to each other on the phone at some length."

Borthwick was unable to establish what had been spoken about in the conversation. But he did say that afterwards the French were keen to point out they were not publicly supporting New Zealand.

"Lapasset told me, after he spoke to Rutherford on Wednesday, that the French were keen to be seen not to be taking sides at this stage."

The NZRFU maintained its strong policy of not commenting when queried on Wednesday. The French attitude seems to be coloured by the problem it faces if it supports New Zealand.

It wants Australia's vote in its bid to host the 2007 Rugby World Cup, an event England has also indicated it is keen to hold. But France also needs New Zealand's vote.

"The important thing at this stage is that the French are very keen on keeping the dialogue going," Borthwick said. "The French believe there is still negotiation possible and are keen to have a compromise sorted out."