Aussie rugby chief walks after Japan vote fiasco

SYDNEY - Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chairman Dilip Kumar has stepped down from his post, in the wake of Australia's refusal to back New Zealand's successful 2011 World Cup bid.

ARU president Paul McLean last night said Kumar would remain on the board.

"There was unwarranted personal criticism of Dilip when the ARU board chose to support Japan's bid for the rugby World Cup 2011," McLean said.

"The ARU board remains committed to its decision to support Japan's bid."

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller this month indicated there would be repercussions for the ARU over its vote for Japan after earlier appearing to support New Zealand's bid.

"We would be wrong to hide our extreme disappointment and the wounds of that disappointment will not heal easily," Moller said.

New Zealand officials were understood to be also annoyed that Kumar had tried to claim credit for a supposed thawing in trans-Tasman rugby relations after the fallout over the 2003 World Cup sub-hosting bid by New Zealand.

The ARU said that as it was taking over the secretariat of Sanzar -- the joint Australian, New Zealand and South Africa rugby partnership -- Kumar had decided that stepping down would ensure a smooth transition.

Kumar said in an ARU statement last night his decision was in the best interests of Australian rugby but that he would not be commenting further.

The decision will be a shock to rugby supporters in Australia, as the issue over the vote for Japan has been downplayed in the media this side of the Tasman, with the rugby news bulletins concentrating on the sacking of coach Eddie Jones after a disastrous season for the Wallabies.

The Kumar situation mirrors what happened after New Zealand pulled out of its sub-hosting bid for the 2003 World Cup. As a result of an inquiry into the fiasco, NZRU chairman Malcolm McCaw and chief executive David Rutherford stood down.

An ARU spokesman would not comment on whether any correspondence from the NZRU had precipitated Kumar's decision.

He said a new chairman would be elected by the ARU board today.

Kumar, a Sydney businessman, was elected ARU chairman in April, replacing Bob Tuckey, who held the post for four years.

- NZPA