1987 World Cup winners stay home

Warwick Taylor. Photo / Simon Baker

Some of the 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks side will miss the opening match of this year's tournament because they have to pay to travel to Auckland.

New Zealand's only victorious cup team have been given tickets to the game by Rugby World Cup organisers, but a couple feel short-changed because they have to fork out for their own travel and accommodation.

Former second five-eighths Warwick Taylor told TVNZ he was disappointed with the tournament organiser's lack of support.

"We got an invite to get tickets for the game and I suppose after that we were asked to find our way up there and get accommodation as well," he said. "Twenty-four years later we get a chance to watch it on TV."

Former teammate Andy Earl also said he would not be attending because of the cost.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 communications manager Mike Jaspers said none of the team had complained to his organisation.

"We think this is reasonable recognition of their special status. We'd make the point that they all accepted it, no one has complained to us about the issues around getting [to] and staying in Auckland.

"This is in line with keeping with the hospitality that is offered in similar circumstances for Rugby World Cup. We've tried to be as helpful as possible and kept in regular contact ... suggesting that they can find cheap airfares if required."

Of the group that had been invited in September last year, 17 players and three staff have accepted, with several unable to attend because of other commitments.

Mr Jaspers said the team would have luxury coach rides to and from Eden Park, pre-match and post-match hospitality, and "the best seats in the house".

All of the Canterbury-based All Blacks were confirmed for tomorrow's match, because former prop Richard Loe had arranged sponsorship for them.

The 1987 team are reuniting later in the tournament for the first time since 1987 in honour of former teammate John Drake, who died in 2008.