Maori World Cup TV bid hits trouble

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The Maori TV-led bid for the Rugby World Cup rights has encountered problems behind the scenes with the International Rugby Board.

Prime Minister John Key has even weighed into negotiations with a one-on-one meeting with IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.

And a new poll suggests Mr Key's decision to make Maori TV lead the bid for the free-to-air rights was a line-ball call, with New Zealanders divided on whether it was the right thing to do.

The Herald-Digipoll shows a slim majority of 45.2 per cent disapprove of Maori TV leading the bid, while 44.1 per cent approve.

The bid is a commercial process between the consortium led by Maori TV and IMG - the international agent the IRB hired to get it the best deal.

But the Herald understands various backroom discussions have taken place since Mr Key announced the compromise that has Maori TV leading the bid, but TVNZ and TV3 also carrying the major games. The discussions include Mr Key and Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully meeting Mr Lapasset while in Tokyo for the Bledisloe Cup.

The sticking points are not related to money, but to how the blanket coverage on Maori TV, TVNZ and TV3 will work - for example, whether it will dilute the "product" too much.

Other problems include the different agendas of the New Zealand broadcasters, arch-competitors who are trying to work together. The IRB has previously turned down joint bids by New Zealand broadcasters, believing them to be anti-competitive.

The poll shows how divisive the Maori TV bid has been, with much of the opposition related to the small amount of Maori language that would be incorporated in its commentary.

There were also concerns about the 10 per cent of the country Maori TV could not reach on the analogue network.

The poll was taken after Mr Key had announced his compromise deal.