Rugby: Aussies reject Kiwi revenge theory

John O’Neill, managing director of the Australian Rugby Union, has denied the Wallabies deliberately made things hard for New Zealand so they could grab exclusive rights to the World Cup next year.

It has been suggested Australia were gaining revenge on New Zealand for vetoing an extension of the Super 12 tournament when they complained to the International Rugby Board that the Kiwis had missed the deadline for agreeing to the co-host arrangement.