"It was not a commercial decision," the chief executive of the International Rugby Board Mike Miller told the Otago Daily Times last night.
"It was a decision to bring the Rugby World Cup to the spiritual home of rugby."
In France in 2007 the IRB made a surplus of 127 million ($NZ268 million) and it expects a profit of 95 million in New Zealand next year.
"It is a 25 to 30% reduction but the council took the view that it was worth it to have the World Cup in New Zealand, " Miller said.
Money was important to the IRB and for Rugby World Cup Limited, he said.
"Whatever we make we spend on our 118 unions around the world to grow the game."
The New Zealand based World Cup is proving attractive to overseas fans. Figures will be announced today on the numbers of people who have bought tickets from abroad.
"Everyone will be pleasantly surprised at the number of people coming to New Zealand," Miller said.
"It is larger than our previous estimates."
There will be 48 matches over 45 days at next year's World Cup.
"It is a huge festival and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people in New Zealand, no matter what happens to the All Blacks.
"The All Blacks are just one of 20 teams," Miller said.
"I think it will be a huge success no matter what happens, and no matter who wins."
Miller gave the All Blacks the favouritism tag at the moment "but on any given day there are five or six other teams that could win". He lists the other main contenders as South Africa, Australia, England, Wales and perhaps the Pacific Island teams.
"It is too difficult to predict," he said.
"I wouldn't bet my house on it because it is too hard to call. We want a tournament where you don't know until the last minute who is going to win."
Miller visited the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin yesterday and was given an assurance that it would be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup.
"It will be a huge asset for Dunedin and an international calling card around the world," he said. "It is one of a kind. There will be some great rugby played in the stadium."
The covered stadium will give Dunedin special advantages over the rest of the country.
"It is groundbreaking and something different. It is something special," Miller said. "You don't have to worry about the weather.
"It will add an extra dimension to the game. When they close the Millennium Stadium at Cardiff it enhances the atmosphere.
"People like to be involved with innovative projects and the stadium is certainly one of those. It is at the cutting edge and will draw major events to the city."
Miller is being accompanied on the whirlwind tour of the World Cup venues by the head of the 2011 RWC organising team Martin Snedden.
