South Africa ahead in 2011 World Cup race

A confidential IRB report has rated South Africa the best choice to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The document was compiled after visits to the three nations - New Zealand, South Africa and Japan - who are bidding to stage the tournament when the votes are cast later this month.

The Sunday Times in London acquired a copy of the report which was compiled by a special IRB touring team headed by chief executive Mike Miller.

The newspaper said the IRB thought South Africa's bid was the strongest, New Zealand had a "safe" bid while Japan needed to overcome various challenges.

Apparently there was no mention about the standard of New Zealand's stadiums in the report.

The country's lack of quality hotels was indicated but countered by the New Zealand Rugby Union with an updated version of their Lions' hospitality plan - "cruise liners and camper vans".

New Zealand and South Africa were lauded for the Government guarantees underpinning their tenders, with concern Japan could raise only half the funding from the Government.

The article said the IRB report ignored that it was illegal in Japan for there to be greater Government support while there was scant recognition given for the massive Japanese corporate backing.

South Africa, who hosted the 1995 tournament, had the largest predicted profit of the three bidding for the 2011 event.

"South Africa offers the greatest potential of the tenders," the IRB report concluded.

The republic's greatest advantage was being in the same time zone as Europe which would boost television broadcast revenue. South Africa's drawback was its unstable rugby administration.

While the report accepted Japan could deal with the commercial aspects of a World Cup, it worried about their inexperience of hosting major rugby events.

The Sunday Times offered the opinion that the IRB report, while meant to be an impartial look at each tender for the November 17 vote, had the smell of old-boys politics about it.

There has been conjecture, for instance, that the All Blacks extra test this year against Wales and one proposed against England next year are in response to voting support.

Meanwhile details of a $100,000 bonus payment for each All Black if they win the 2007 World Cup in France will be revealed today as part of the new collective agreement between the players and NZRFU.

Information about the $2 million salary cap for the expanded NPC next year will also be unveiled and the changed guaranteed payment structures.

Two years ago the All Blacks' preparation for the World Cup in Australia was hampered by the players and NZRFU arguing over an $80,000 bonus package for winning that event.

The new agreement, which has been nutted out over much of this year, sets down a $35,000 incentive for reaching the 2007 final and an extra $65,000 for each All Black if they win it.

The early deal suited national coach Graham Henry.

"I've got no problem with that. We all want to win the World Cup no matter what the bonus is - but it's professional sport after all," Henry told NZPA in Cardiff.

Under the new arrangement, players involved in all levels of New Zealand rugby will split up almost a third of the $70 million NZRFU revenue they are forecast to generate next year.

Super 14 salaries will start at $65,000 while provinces have to contract 26 players for their squads on a minimum $15,000 wage.

All Blacks will be paid selection fees of $7500 a week, Junior All Blacks will get $3500 a week and New Zealand Maori and All Blacks trialists will earn $2000 a week.