NZ Minister of Rugby World Cup
Monday November 21 2005
2011 tournament to get a cabinet seat
New Zealand will add a new minister in charge of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Prime Minister Helen Clark said to reporters on Monday.
Sports Minister Trevor Mallard is the most likely candidate to fill the role, Clark told reporters at her post-Cabinet news conference.
New Zealand came from nowhere to beat bids from South Africa and favourites Japan last week to host the tournament, with Clark addressing the International Rugby Board (IRB) personally in Dublin before leaving to attend the APEC conference in South Korea.
All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, former player Colin Meads and New Zealand Rugby Union bosses Jock Hobbs and Chris Moller also addressed the final meeting.
"There's going to need to be a very close relationship between the Government and the rugby union because of the significance of the Government partnership," Clark said.
"So we need ...to now sit down with the rugby union and plot a course ahead for the next six years."
Discuss on the Message Board
Mail this to a Friend
Prepare article for printer
The best value rugby tours with Gullivers Sports Travel: RBS Six Nations, Dubai and Hong Kong Sevens, Rugby World Cup 2007, Lions 2009. Playing tours for clubs and schools. For more information, please visit www.gulliversports.co.uk