Earlier this week, New Zealand's national newspaper The Times claimed that the country was about to be reinstated as co-host of the event. But the Australian Rugby Union has claimed that the statements are "totally false and inaccurate".
"It is extraordinary that somebody will put that in the public domain," said the ARU's spokesman Strath Gordon. "I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that the Rugby World Cup board has recommended that Australia be the sole hosts."
The saga between the two nations began when New Zealand officials refused to sign the sub-host union agreement because of concerns about their ability to provide venues without pre-booked advertising and seating.
