SENIOR Rugby World Cup directors yesterday brushed aside the effect that Kerry Packer's intended rebel circus would have on the 1997 World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong.
Sir Ewart Bell, chairman of Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWC), said that he was confident that future International Rugby Football Board (IRB) tournaments would survive the Packer threat confronting them.
'To be the best in the world is what everyone wants. And the World Cup Sevens will offer players and teams to be the best at sevens. And being the best sevens team in the world will be something which everyone will aspire to,' said Sir Ewart.
Hong Kong rugby officials are afraid that the Packer deal, if it comes off, will rob next year's Hong Kong Sevens and the 1997 World Cup Sevens (on March 22-23) of the Jonah Lomus of world rugby.
But the top RWC officials are confident that players and fans will continue to look at established tournaments as the yardstick of glory.
Addressing a press conference yesterday to reveal details of plans for the 1997 World Cup Sevens, Sir Ewart said he did not fear the loss of the big-name players to Packer - if it happens. 'Whatever structure others have, we are extremely confident that our tournaments will survive simply because we are the only body which can offer a credible world tournament.' Sir Ewart said that the 1997 World Cup Sevens - which will be the first world tournament after the current revolutionary moves - had nothing to fear from Packer.
'The Packer circus will not be any problem to us,' added Dr Nic Labuschagne, another of the five-strong executive body of the RWC Ltd who met with officials from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union over the last three days to thrash out details including compensation for the local Union, tickets, sponsors and other commercial aspects.