IRB backs NZ World Cup hosting rights 

The International Rugby Board has moved to quash speculation that New Zealand's 2011 World Cup hosting rights are under threat of legal action from Asian rugby bosses.

The IRB released a statement today confirming there would be no re-vote for the 2011 hosting rights, which New Zealand secured ahead of hot favourites Japan in Dublin in November.

"(The IRB) takes exception to any suggestion that the vote was not carried out in a proper and professional manner," the statement said.

London's Sunday Times yesterday reported that the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) had threatened legal action unless the IRB annuls the vote made by its ruling council in Dublin.

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Chris Moller rejected the claims in the newspaper article.

The ARFU letter to the IRB said there was "no suggestion of any corruption among IRB members", but drew a potential parallel with the awarding of the 2002 Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City, about which allegations of corruption surfaced.

- NZPA