The New Zealand Rugby Union Thursday announced record losses due partly to the costs of hosting next year's World Cup and the impact of the global recession. The NZRU lost 15.9 million dollars (11.3 million US) in 2009, with a shortfall in income from All Blacks Tests contributing to an operating loss of 9.6 million dollars, chief executive Steve Tew said. Another 6.3 million dollars related to costs and foreign exchange losses associated with the 2011 Rugby World Cup, although much of this was a paper loss and would be recouped next year, he said. 'It is not a surprise, not a shock, but still a 16 million dollar loss,' Tew told reporters. 'While we are fortunate that our financial position is very strong, the game cannot continue to spend more than it earns and this result, on top of some worrying provincial union results, sends a very clear message,' he said. Cutbacks last year included freezing union officials' salaries and not providing any games for the New Zealand Maori team. 'We wanted to get the game largely through the pain without too much damage,' Tew said. Income from Tests last year was 4.2 million dollars less than budgeted for. Crowd numbers were down for several home Tests, most notably in Christchurch, where fewer than 17,000 people watched the All Blacks play Italy. The All Blacks' season was disappointing by their high standards. They lost one of two home Tests against France and surrendered the Tri-Nations title to South Africa. But they finished on a high note with four Test wins on their end of year tour to Europe. 