We're top without 22 stars, says Hobbs

Jock Hobbs

Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs believes New Zealand teams will dominate next year's Super 14, even without 22 of the country's best players for the first half of the contest.

As the NZRFU works to resolve a potentially large compensation payment issue with Sanzar paymasters News Ltd, Hobbs yesterday went on the front foot over New Zealand's place in the scheme of things over the 11 years of Tri-Nations and Super rugby.

He reckons that even with some of its best players sidelined for a conditioning programme to prepare for the World Cup next September, New Zealand will maintain its position as the dominant force in the Sanzar competitions.

"We have won nine out of 11 Super Rugby titles, seven out of 11 Tri-Nations titles," he said last night.

"The All Blacks are the No 1 team in the world and have been so over the past 24 months.

"We have a record and history of performance.

"We will perform next year, notwithstanding this conditioning programme."

The bottom line from the union's perspective is that it is required to do what is best to help the All Blacks win the World Cup.

Part of that involves approving the seven-week stand down from the first half of the Super 14 next year.

Hobbs is confident there have been no contractual breaches with News, which is seeking a discount on the $660 million contract it has with Sanzar.

Hobbs, in Dublin on International Rugby Board business, said he would write to News chief operating officer Peter Macourt today, outlining what he called "benefits and add-ons" to the value of the Super 14 for the bosses and broadcasters.

"Certainly it's our view that compensation is not payable," Hobbs said. "So long as we don't breach any agreements - and we don't believe we are - we believe we are entitled to be doing what we've said we're going to do."

He had apologised to Macourt for the union not consulting News before announcing the removal of the players, but there were compelling reasons for that.

Hobbs would not elaborate on the reasons, as they were "too sensitive at the moment".

He is confident the union is on firm footing in its actions and is unhappy at comments by News' director of corporate affairs Greg Baxter after a meeting in Sydney last Friday between Hobbs and Macourt.

Baxter claimed News wanted the names of the 22 so it could begin putting a price on their heads to assess the size of a claim against the union.

"He wasn't at the meeting and I've never met the man," Hobbs said. "What he had to say bore no resemblance to the meeting I was at with Peter, whom I respect as a very astute, pragmatic person.

"[Baxter] has made comments about what happened at the meeting and what we were required to do, post the meeting, which are factually incorrect."

Hobbs, a lawyer, found it hard to accept criticism from Baxter over seeking Queen's Counsel advice on their contractual position.

"It would be absolutely negligent for us not to have done so."

Hobbs will point out to News and broadcasters what he called "the value proposition" in the conditioning programme stand down, but would not give specifics before further discussions with Macourt.

Last night, Baxter said News remained intent on seeking financial compensation.

It planned to speak to broadcasters from the three Sanzar countries and Britain's Sky TV this week to discuss "an acceptable compromise", then go back to the NZRFU for discussions early next week.

"Our position hasn't changed all the way through," he said.

"We're very disappointed with the way the NZRFU has gone about this. They don't seem to put a huge value on their relationship with us."