NZ blamed for World Cup leak

LONDON - International Rugby Board officials say a New Zealand Rugby Union official leaked a draft World Cup draw, causing further damage to the tournament.

IRB media manager Chris Rea was sure he knew where the leak came from, but said there was little the Dublin-based international body could do.

If the IRB allegations were proven, it could bring sanctions against New Zealand, the Times newspaper said yesterday.

Leaks of confidential details of the 2003 tournament as infighting between co-hosts Australia and New Zealand raged were proving damaging, Rea said. He called for the NZRFU to investigate the leak.

Under the draft, which the IRB dismissed as "mere speculation," money-spinning drawcards South Africa and England will play in a pool based in Perth.

New Zealand were reportedly upset with the seedings, saying Wales had been placed above England in a move that ignored present form.

While the original joint bid document specified that New Zealand and Australia would each host a semifinal, Australia now wanted both of those games.

"With four leaks this year, the tournament is being damaged by people who are privy to privileged information who have chosen to make it public for their own purposes," Rea said.

"Other sporting bodies would not allow this sort of behaviour. To say it is unhelpful is an understatement."

- NZPA