NZRU's feathers still ruffled by Aussies

Australian rugby officials are still very much in the dog box, despite their top man standing down yesterday, as far the the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) is concerned.


The NZRU has reaffirmed its concerns regarding the Australian Rugby Union's decision to not support New Zealand's bid to host the 2011 rugby world cup.

ARU Chairman Dilip Kumar resigned from his position at yesterday's meeting of the ARU Board.

NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs said: "Despite some previous media comment, our concern was that the ARU Board chose to support Japan in the RWC 2011 vote, so from that perspective, the resignation of Mr Kumar does not change our position nor alleviate our concerns about the ARU's decision."

Mr Hobbs said these concerns have been delivered to the ARU Board in writing.

"I have written to the ARU Board through Mr Kumar outlining our concerns and the damage this decision has done to the Australia-New Zealand relationship."

The NZRU will not be making any further comment on Mr Kumar's resignation.