Missing 22 players big problem for Fox Sports

Australian Broadcaster Fox Sports is vehemently opposed to All Blacks missing next year's Super 14 - claiming the move will have a massive negative impact on ratings.

The Australian firm has lodged its concerns with broadcast rights holder News Limited and dramatically increased the likelihood of the New Zealand Rugby Union being hit with crippling financial penalties if it follows through with plans to keep 22 All Blacks out of the first seven rounds.

The Herald on Sunday understands Super Sports in South Africa is also opposed to the NZRU's plans and there is pressure on the union to strike a compromise.

Andrew Oakes, marketing director at Fox Sports, said: "If the 22 players are taken out, it will absolutely be a big problem. Losing that many players will have a major impact and we have paid a significant amount to buy the rights. Take golf, for example. When Tiger Woods plays, a lot more people watch than when he doesn't play and we think that will be the same in rugby. We want to see the best players fielded each week.

"A mate of mine has a 12-year-old son who has just switched allegiance from AFL to rugby because he loves Daniel Carter. There are a number of Australian kids growing up here who want to be All Blacks. There will be a big impact on the ratings taking those players out and that is a concern for us."

News Limited has invited Fox Sports, Super Sports and SkyTV to submit their views on New Zealand's plans. All three firms have bought broadcast packages from News Limited, which itself paid US$323 million in 2004 to buy the five-year rights for Super 14 and Tri Nations.

News Limited head of corporate affairs Greg Baxter, said: "News has a contract with Sanzar and then we in turn have individual contracts with each of the three domestic broadcasters. We have a contractual obligation to them to deliver what we said we were going to deliver and we are seeking their views."

With Fox Sports adamant it would not be getting what it paid for if so many test players were allowed to sit out the early rounds, News will have no choice but to either force the NZRU into a compromise agreement or push through with legal action to exact financial compensation.

While the NZRU has said it believes New Zealand has the strength in depth to offset the loss of 22 All Blacks, it is not an argument washing with either Fox Sports or News.

Oakes says it is unrealistic to argue the replacements will be of the quality of the likes of Carter, McCaw and Chris Jack - players who have recognition and brand value in Australia.

And Baxter said: "I don't think there is any doubt New Zealand has a stunning depth of talent but we are talking about 22 players for seven weeks. The issue is whether there is a difference between what we've paid for and what we're being offered."

News says it expects to hear the formal views of its broadcast partners early this week. New Zealand's domestic broadcaster, SkyTV, has already stated it supports the NZRU's plans.

News chief executive Peter Macourt met NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs last Friday and the two agreed to talk again once News had consulted the three domestic broadcasters.

Baxter refused to speculate on what action News would take if the responses were negative but reconfirmed that seeking compensation from the NZRU remains a last resort.

That would suggest News is still hopeful the NZRU will either reduce the number of players withdrawn or the length of the proposed absence.

Star quest the last frontier

The Rugby Union is trying to convince News Limited that new superstars will be found in next year's Super 14 if 22 All Blacks are taken out for eight weeks.

The NZRU cites the NPC as an example of depth generation. Since 2003, current All Blacks have scarcely been seen in provincial colours. That, says the NZRU, has allowed others to make a mark and regenerate the competition.

But News Limited might want the NZRU to name players who have risen to the highest level since the last World Cup. Who has emerged from the NPC and gone on to hold down a regular All Black spot?

The current big stars were discovered well before 2003. Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw were John Mitchell's selections, so were Aaron Mauger, Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo and Andrew Hore. Chris Jack, Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Jerry Collins, Carl Hayman, Greg Somerville go back to Wayne Smith's time and Anton Oliver, Reuben Thorne and Byron Kelleher got their first caps under John Hart.

Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear, Piri Weepu, Sione Lauaki, Nick Evans, Chris Masoe and Luke McAlister have emerged since Graham Henry took over in December 2003. And none had filled in for an unavailable All Black.

Only Conrad Smith and James Ryan can really trace their origin to an unexpected opportunity.

Smith played well enough for Wellington when Tana Umaga and Ma'a Nonu were at the World Cup to earn a Super 12 deal and a year later he was named to tour France, Italy and Wales with the All Blacks.

Ryan was elevated into the Otago team when Simon Maling was away with the All Blacks and like Smith, Ryan didn't look back.

The idea that you can take out McCaw and Carter, even Jack and have ready-made replacements has not shown itself to be true.