New Zealand's government will appoint a minister in charge of the 2011 rugby World Cup, Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday.

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard was the most likely candidate to fill the role, Clark told reporters at her post-Cabinet news conference.

New Zealand surprisingly beat bids from South Africa and pre-vote favourites Japan last week to host the tournament, with Clark addressing the International Rugby Board (IRB) in Dublin before leaving to attend the APEC conference in South Korea. All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, former player Colin Meads and New Zealand Rugby Union bosses Jock Hobbs and Chris Moller also addressed the final meeting.

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