The New Zealand rugby union on Monday rejected allegations it offered inducements to other rugby unions to help it win the hosting rights for the the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Earlier the Dublin-based International Rugby Board said there would be no new vote for the 2011 hosting rights following threats of legal action by the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU), of which beaten bidder Japan is a member.
New Zealand was the surprise choice to host the tournament, beating Japan and South Africa in a vote in November.
The British-based Sunday Times reported the ARFU had threatened legal action in a letter unless the IRB annulled the November vote.
The ARFU said the secret ballot to choose the winning bidder breached the organisation’s constitution.
Apart from alleged lack of transparency in the voting procedure, the ARU said Ireland had been offered inducements to support to New Zealand.
”We are aware … that the two Irish members were encouraged to vote for New Zealand by being promised the appearance of the All Blacks at the opening ceremony of the redeveloped Lansdowne Road ground,” ARFU letter says.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Chris Moller rejected the claims in the Sunday Times.
”In a word they’re nonsense, in two words they’re complete nonsense, and in three words they’re absolutely complete nonsense,” Moller said.
”There is no way that the New Zealand Rugby Union was involved in any discussions whatsoever with the Irish Rugby Union or any other rugby union about offering additional matches against the All Blacks.
”Quite frankly those claims are scurrilous and completely without foundation.”
The IRB said it in a statement it took exception to any suggestion the vote was not carried out properly.
It added that members of the ARFU had indicated they had not authorised the appointment of English lawyers Addleshaw Goddard to send the letter.
”The democratically elected officials of the ARFU have informed the IRB that the letter should not have been sent as it does not represent the views of ARFU and that the person who it seems engaged the solicitors did not have the constitutional authority to do so,” the IRB said.
”The secretary general of ARFU has written to the solicitors stating that they must cease and desist purporting to act for and on behalf of the Asian Rugby Football Union.” – Sapa-AFP