23 Oct 2010

Commonwealth Games have lesson for Rugby World Cup

7:07 am on 23 October 2010

The man heading Rugby World Cup preparations says New Zealand must learn a lesson from the negative publicity India received during the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at a conference on business preparedness for the tournament, the Rugby New Zealand 2011 Chief Executive, Martin Snedden, said India's reputation has been damaged.

Snedden says there's an enormous risk this country's could also suffer, if people think the country will not be ready to host the event.

But Snedden says organisers are working hard to eliminate that risk by reassuring people that preparations are on track.

He says India will be regretting the lost opportunity to promote the country during the Games and he does not want New Zealand to be in the same position after the Rugby World Cup.