Speed urged in cup deal

By WYNNE GRAY

New Zealand is urging Rugby World Cup Ltd to work faster towards resolving a number of issues about the player participation agreement for this year's event.

The deadline for signing is July 15, but that is in some doubt after Australia's player association gained a Supreme Court injunction stopping the Australian Rugby Union from pressuring players into the agreement.

That injunction is set down for June 27, and New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol had discussions last night about the impasse with his colleagues across the Tasman.

He did not think the problems for New Zealand were as widespread, but acknowledged that there was some way to go before a deal was struck with the All Blacks.

"We need Rugby World Cup Ltd to deal with some of the dramas," he said. "We told them about this some months ago.

"Our guys will go to the World Cup, but . . . we need to improve the document, so there is a way to go to get our interests aligned."

The NZRFU, NZRPA and other parties have held several meetings, and NZRFU chief executive Chris Moller said sticking points included image rights, disciplinary issues and anti-doping concerns.

In Australia, the negotiations have reportedly been more volatile, arguments centring on bonus payments for players.

All World Cup players must sign the agreement, which forces them to hand over commercial rights, such as use of their image, with no royalty payment.