Hi, sorry I'm so late in replying.

I don't mean my comments to be an attack on kiwis at all, nor do I claim to have any knowledge about the inner workings of the NZRU. But.. I question any major Union  (it was mentioned earlier in this thread that this funding gap left by the RWC is felt in other countries) that is having problems coming up with solutions in order to make up for the lost money. I would question this for any sport in any country but especially if it is the most popular sport and with a team that is generally regarded to be a cash cow.

I didn't take your remark to be condescending at all, but I'm from western Canada and we tend to be a little bit more mellow.

edit. I would also like to make it clear that I agree with Tew and most posters in that the IRB's current sponsorship model is absolute ***s. It needs to be changed in order to keep up with the increasing popularity and financial wellbeing of Rugby. My first comment (a few pages back) started with IF the IRB don't change their policies and NZ withdraw from the next world cup that it would do a great disservice to the progress of the game.