KEY POINTS:
The French rugby union tried to postpone next month's two-test tour and pay compensation - something the New Zealand union disputes.
"That is news to us," said chief executive designate Steve Tew in answer to comments by French manager Jo Maso.
"Compensation has never been offered to the
New Zealand Rugby Union to the best of my knowledge around any of those June internationals," said Tew.
"We have never had a direct request from France for money or had an offer of compensation from France."
However, Tew conceded the problem of how June and November tests worked in World Cup seasons and other related issues was a regular topic for debate around the International Rugby Board table.
Maso said yesterday after the announcement of an understrength team to play two tests in New Zealand in June: "We tried to postpone or cancel the tour with financial compensation but in vain.
"I think our English and Irish friends are in the same situation and will send second-string teams to South Africa and Argentina."
The reluctant French touring side has recalled former Blues prop Christian Califano for their two-test trip here.
The 35-year-old Califano played his last test four years ago but could turn out for his 70th international at Eden Park on June 2 against the All Blacks.
Many of France's leading players were unavailable because they will be involved in the domestic club championship but that has given veterans like Califano and Olivier Magne a late chance to push for World Cup selection.
Califano was drafted into the Blues in 2002 when coach Peter Sloane successfully argued he had a shortage of props. Califano started only one match and came off the bench in four other games during his stint with the franchise.
Flanker Magne played test rugby last year but his great career appeared stalled at 88 caps until the lifeline of this trip.
About 31,000 tickets have been sold for the 45,000 capacity Eden Park test with some feedback that the slow sales are a reaction to the below-strength touring sides.
Meanwhile selection for the NZ Maori side means loose forwards Liam Messam and Angus Macdonald have been cut from the logjam of talent in the All Blacks and Junior All Black squads to be announced on Friday. Messam was mentioned by the All Black panel as an unlucky omission from the end-of-year tour to Europe.
Ten new players have been included in the Maori squad to defend the Churchill Cup series in England from May 18 to June 2.
FRANCE
June 2: v All Blacks, Eden Park
June 9: v All Blacks, Wellington
SQUAD: Forwards: David Attoub, Christian Califano, Franck Montanella, Nicolas Mas or Benoit Lecouls, Raphael Ibanez (captain), Sebastien Bruno, Pascal Pape, Julien Pierre, Olivier Olibeau or Jerome Thion, Sebastien Chabal, Damien Chouly, Olivier Magne, Mathieu Lievremont, Imanol Harinordoquy or Gregory Lecorvec. Backs: Nicolas Durand or Dimitri Yachvili, Mathieu Barrau, Benjamin Boyet, Nicolas Laharrague or Maxime Petitjean, David Marty or Romain Cabannes, Ludovic Valbon, Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, Arnaud Mignardi, Pepito Elhorga, Julien Laharrague, Benjamin Thierry, Thomas Castaignede.
NZ MAORI
May 25: New Zealand Maori v Canada, Northampton
May 29: New Zealand Maori v Ireland A, Exeter
June 2: Churchill Cup finals day, Twickenham.
SQUAD: Callum Bruce (Otago), Keith Cameron (Otago), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Brendan Haami (Taranaki), Glen Horton (Otago), Jason Kawau (Southland), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Angus Macdonald (Auckland), Luke Mahoney (Wellington), Ben May (Tasman), Liam Messam (Waikato), Kristian Ormsby (Counties-Manukau), Shannon Paku (Wellington), Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Chris Smylie (Otago), Warren Smith (Bay of Plenty), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Anthony Tahana (Bay of Plenty), Pehi Te Whare (Southland), Hayden Triggs (Manawatu), Rua Tipoki (captain, Canterbury), Hoani Tui (Wellington), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), Craig West (Waikato).