(Reuters) The New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) chairman Murray McCaw received a promise from the IRB chairman Vernon Pugh last year that the hosting agreement would be changed to take account of New Zealand not being able to provide clean venues, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Pugh had accepted that it was impossible to have 100 percent clean venues - without advertising and no pre-booked seating, including corporate boxes - and had undertaken to have the contract changed so New Zealand could sign, McCaw was quoted as saying.
"It is very clear...There is no doubt I was talking to the chairman of the IRB and he said 'this is what we can do'. I reported back to my board about it."
The International Rugby Board's Rugby World Cup Limited (RWC) on Friday withdrew the invitation to the NZRFU to co-host the 48-match tournament with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
The two countries had been due to co-host the tournament but New Zealand attached conditions to the Sub Host Union Agreement which the International Rugby Board (IRB) found unacceptable.
A memo confirming the content of the conversation, which took place at last November's rugby awards in London, had been sent to Pugh, McCaw said.
The NZRFU has said it will look at legal action to protect its hosting position and says only the full IRB council can give Australia sole hosting rights.
RWC have given the ARU 21 days to present their case to host the World Cup in Australia.
Pugh is expected in Sydney on today to discuss World Cup arrangements.
Meanwhile former Wallaby David Campese said Australia was looking forward to hosting the World Cup on its own:
"Australia can now stand alone and host a brilliant World Cup next year," he wrote in his column in The Australian newspaper.
"I can't believe how badly the Kiwis have shot themselves in the foot. First they destroy the chances of a Super 14 competition and now this.
"But look at the positives from our point of view. It's an opportunity for rugby to be promoted around Australia by holding test matches in states where the game is not well known.
"We can prove what a great national sport it is. And we've hosted big-time events before: Remember that show back in 2000 called the Olympics?"
