KEY POINTS:
Lion Red's financial support of the Kiwis is under threat. Brewer Lion Nathan - whose backing of rugby league is believed to be the longest sports sponsorship deal in NZ, dating back to the 1950s - is unhappy with recent dealings with the new management at the NZ Rugby League.
Deals with Lion, Kiwis' jersey sponsor Chrisco - the Christmas basket company - and others are due to expire after the team's tour of Britain and France.
Some have renewal options beyond 2007 but it appears that some, including major sponsor Lion, are reconsidering their involvement.
Lion's sponsorship director Glenn Palmer agreed he had heard on the grapevine that the NZRL deal was all over "but we're still waiting to hear that from the horse's mouth".
In this case the horse's mouth is NZRL chairman Andrew Chalmers, who is in England along with deputy chairman Phil Campbell and board member Neville Kesha. Mr Chalmers and Mr Palmer met ahead of the test against Australia in Wellington to discuss the existing arrangement which included help with broadcasting rights, with Lion afterwards asking the NZRL chairman for more details of a suggested new deal.
Did Mr Palmer expect quicker action from the NZRL? "You would," he said. "We expect them to deal with it quickly. We have to get information from him [Mr Chalmers] to see where his head's at."
Mr Palmer said league was still important to Lion Nathan. They had good relationships with the Auckland Rugby League and the Warriors and they would continue, with deals signed for the next three seasons.
"We believe it was 1956 when we established a relationship with the NZRL. Any decision we make won't be taken lightly," Mr Palmer said.
There may be some value for the NZRL in having the Kiwis as a "clean" commercial property, enabling one bigger sponsorship deal for exclusivity.
But with the next test in May and the World Cup just 11 months away time is short.
An NZRL spokesman said he expected Kiwis sponsorship to be finalised by the end of the year.
Chrisco chief executive Julia Dol said the company had a right of renewal, was happy with its relationship with the NZRL and was looking forward to finalising details.
