Labour says the government is behind the eight-ball in its efforts to internationally promote the next Rugby World Cup.
The IRB has clashed with the government over uniforms for volunteers and Labour's Rugby World Cup spokesman Trevor Mallard says that is just one example showing plans for the Cup are not on track.
Mallard believes NZ is also behind on the international promotion of the event.
He says the government needs to learn from the America's Cup promotion and attract international business conferences to the country during the Rugby World Cup.
And Mallard agrees with the International Rugby Board that having a silver fern emblem on volunteer uniforms may give the wrong idea.
Prime Minister John Key says the silver fern should be displayed on volunteers' uniforms but the IRB is concerned the fern has too strong an association with the All Blacks.
Mallard says he can see where the IRB is coming from and volunteers dressed in black with a silver fern may look like All Black supporters, rather than neutral, helpful people.
Mallard says World Cup Minister Murray McCully should have negotiated with the IRB about rebranding the silver fern.
