NZRU hoping to resolve stand-off

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) will meet with Super 14’s major backers News Ltd over the position to step All Blacks down for part of the 2007 tournament.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller hoped the parties would find a “mutually acceptable situation” after the decision to pull top players from the five Kiwi franchises.

Moller told the stuff.co.nz website: “News Ltd has come out and said they don’t wish to see legal action and we certainly don’t. Our thrust will be to make sure that doesn’t occur, if possible.

“News Ltd has indicated a willingness to talk and willingness not to end up in legal action. We’re positive about that and we’ll take up that offer.

Moller admitted he regretted failing to inform News Ltd, which has a five-year broadcasting agreement with the three Sanzar countries, of his Union’s intentions.

“We’ve obviously upset News Ltd, so we’re happy to admit that it’s a pity this has occurred,” he added.

“Having said that, we did have our reasons but because we’re trying to set up a meeting we don’t want to comment further on that because it risks prejudicing the nature of those meetings.”