KEY POINTS:
SANZAR reaffirmed their Tri-Nations and Super 14 partnership yesterday but acknowledged they could not deliver any more diluted rugby series to the broadcasters.
Television companies from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa told the rugby officials, politely but firmly, that any further failures would have financial consequences.
Meetings were held yesterday in Christchurch but the heavyweight sessions are likely today when Sanzar plots its strategies to the IRB in November about a global season.
They want to restore the prestige of internationals as the rugby pinnacle rather than the second-rate matches too many of them have become because of competing club competitions or World Cup priorities.
It is understood Sanzar officials acknowledged they could not allow a repeat of this year when the All Blacks withdrew 22 players from the Super 14 while the Springboks rested players from the Tri-Nations.
They acknowledged their obligations and there was no future in South Africa leaving the alliance when the current deal expired in 2010.
The future of the coalition and their competitions will form the bulk of today's discussions. While law variations are being trialled in New Zealand and Australia this year, it was felt it might be too early to introduce them to next year's Super 14.
