Compo 'not an issue' for missing All Blacks

Jock Hobbs

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) is confident it will not have to pay compensation to Super 14 financier News Ltd after pressing on with a controversial plan to exempt 22 leading World Cup contenders from half of next year's Super 14 competition.

The NZRU last night named the All Blacks to undertake a three-month reconditioning programme -- a focal point of head coach Graham Henry's plan to end New Zealand's World Cup heartache in France next October.

Australian-based News Ltd, aggrieved at not initially being consulted regarding the NZRU's plan, has indicated it would seek compensation because the absence of star players would compromise the quality of the competition.

However, NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs today said he did not believe the organisation would be liable to pay compensation.

"We don't believe compensation is payable," said Hobbs, who will forward more information to News Ltd headquarters in Sydney today.

He admitted the NZRU had apologised for not informing the media giant about Henry's desire to keep the core of his cup squad out of action until round eight in April and described the relationship between the parties as "amicable."

Hobbs, currently in Ireland on International Rugby Board (IRB) business, would not elaborate on why he thought compensation was not an issue but said the NZRU was continuing discussions with News Ltd chief Peter Macourt.

"I'm providing News Ltd with more information and obviously that's going to be subject to further discussion. It's not appropriate for me to comment further on that," he said.

Hobbs first met with Macourt in Sydney on Friday, and a date for future discussions has not been formalised.

Henry announced his reconditioning programme after the Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland last month, and originally wanted to keep the chosen players out of the entire Super 14 competition.

After confirming the 22 he reiterated the policy was critical to the welfare of this country's leading players.

"Many of our best athletes have played several years of continuous rugby without a chance to really get their bodies right," Henry said last night.

"The conditioning programme is important for their well-being in the long term and also important to our chances of winning the World Cup."

Henry emphasised participation in the conditioning programme did not guarantee a place in the All Blacks' rugby World Cup squad next year.

"There is a long way to go before we name the World Cup squad and a large group of players are pushing for selection. The door is definitely open."

Defending Super 14 champions the Crusaders are the worst affected by the programme, losing seven players for the first seven weeks of the competition including key All Blacks Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.

The Hurricanes will be without the six players including their first choice loose forward trio - Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Chris Masoe.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans was philosophical about the franchise's chances of retaining their title.

"We've been aware of the initiative for some time.

"We won't be going belly up, we'll be giving it our best shot," he said. "It will be an opportunity for some others I guess."

Deans accepted the rationale behind Henry's plan.

"We want the All Blacks to win the World Cup and the current management panel have deemed this to be the most effective way," he said.

"We're happy to support them to that end."

- NZPA