Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce denies the Auckland Nines tournament was denied funding in favour of the Wellington Sevens.
The New Zealand Herald has Government documents which indicate Auckland Council was denied funding for the rugby league tournament because it may have affected the Wellington event.
But Mr Joyce said that was not a factor in the decision.
He said the decision to deny funding came down to the fact that the Nines was already going to be profitable without the Government's help.
