New Zealand has set the benchmark for future hosts of the Rugby World Cup, International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset says.

The comments come after Rugby World Cup Ltd, which Lapasset also chairs, held operational meetings in London as part of planning for the 2015 event, to be hosted by England.

The meetings this week came four months after a tournament the IRB says “captured the hearts and minds of the global rugby family”.

It says the net surplus from the event is expected to be higher than forecast and be at least Stg85 million ($NZ160 million), which will be used to develop the game around the world.

Lapasset said each World Cup added something and what New Zealand produced was exceptional.

“There is no doubt that New Zealand 2011 is the benchmark for future hosts to aspire to in terms of operational delivery, national engagement and pride, and a unique festival atmosphere,” he said in a statement.

England Rugby 2015 chief executive Paul Vaughan said planning for the next tournament was on track with announcements about dates, venues, ticketing strategy and pool draw to made this year.

He said the success of the New Zealand tournament was based on what was learnt from France in 2007, and it gave his team a significant building block to start from.