ARU CEO John O’Neill (pictured) flew back home from Singapore after talks between the two parties.
Negotiations between the ARU and the IRB broke down last month when neither could agree terms, with IRB chairman Vernon Pugh saying at the time he expected to come to an agreement by mid-October.
Whatever Australia agrees to, it must then pass it on to co-host New Zealand for ratification. The Kiwis don’t have the right of veto over the agreement, but are pushing hard for the best possible deal, so the ARU won’t come to terms with the IRB until they have done so with New Zealand.
New Zealand media reports have suggested that NZRFU officials had asked for financial help and were told the ARU could bail it out with a multi-million dollar deal, but only if NZ relinquished a World Cup pool or its allocated semi-final.
By staging the semi-final, the ARU could then cover the money it gave to the Kiwis, whose CEO David Rutherford has said NZ looks set to host 24 games, two pools, two quarter-finals, a semi-final and the third-fourth place play-off.
If New Zealand's quota of matches was reduced it could baulk at signing the agreement, while the 2003 World Cup schedule, venues and dates are likely to be finalised and confirmed next month.
