TV3 dumps Randell for Kronfeld

Josh Kronfeld. Photo / Supplied

Former All Black captain Taine Randell has been unceremoniously dropped from the Rugby World Cup commentary box by TV3.

Randell had been in talks with the network to become part of a commentary team alongside Hamish McKay and Andrew Mehrtens.

But he has been dumped in favour of his former teammate Josh Kronfeld.

Randell told the Weekend Herald yesterday that TV3 reneged on the verbal deal and he was disappointed with the way he had been given the boot.

"Very disappointed. I assumed we had a way of dealing in New Zealand, in terms of integrity and the rest of it - that didn't apply to TV3."

He said he was more bothered by the network's conduct in dropping him than in the actual cancellation of the agreement.

"I guess I learnt a wee bit about TV3. I don't want to make too much of it. You move on."

TV3 spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer said the network had first spoken to Randell in February but after hearing no further response it decided to proceed without him.

"It sounds like there's been a bit of a communication problem. So ... we moved on with our planning.

"We certainly haven't dropped Taine - he's fantastic. There's no hard feelings from our end. But by the same token, you've got to start putting your plans in place."

Asked whether he would take legal action, Randell said: "I haven't given it a great deal of thought. I've sort of had negotiations for a few months in a ... very relaxed manner.

"Things haven't worked out, so in terms of going forward, I've got other things I'm involved in which are higher priority."

TV3 have decided instead to bring his former Otago and All Black teammate Josh Kronfeld on, but in a reduced role as a panelist. Kronfeld fronts a weekly rugby show on Sky TV with Ian Jones.

Randell said he could not disclose the reasoning behind TV3's choice of Kronfeld.

"I've heard off-the-record as to why, but I can't tell."

Kronfeld said of his new position: "It's something different. It hasn't been fully confirmed yet. I got approached a month ago, and I said I could do it, and that's that. I wouldn't have a clue about [Taine Randell]."

Randell played his last match for the All Blacks in 2002 before relocating with his family to London to play for club side Saracens. He returned to New Zealand in 2008.