Rugby: March start for Super 14 in doubt

New Zealand will continue to push for a March start to the next Super rugby series but accepts it may have to yield if it wants to maintain the alliance with South Africa and Australia.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew admitted the tri-partite group was no closer to any resolution on whether they would continue the series in 2011.

"We are of a very strong view that the competition needs to start later for a host of reasons, not the least of which is our fans telling us by voting with their feet, that February is too early for rugby," he said. "And the fact that you are all watching test cricket today would suggest we might be right.

"We have tried very hard to maintain dialogue and discussions and to work on solutions not non-negotiables, but we think that the March start date for every year, other than the World Cup year which presents its own challenges, is worth fighting very hard for.

"Ultimately though, these things will come down to tradeoffs.

"All factors will need to be on the table, including how much money is available to each country as a consequence of what we agree or not agree and things will get traded off," Tew said.

The NZRU believed a resolution was possible with the current partners but if that could not be achieved then other options, like a transtasman competition or an Asia-Pacific series, could be canvassed.

"Our very strong preference remains a trans-Indian Ocean Sanzar competition that involves teams from all three countries," Tew said.

Market research underlined that opinion with some modifications. Some tournament options were being considered to start the series in March yet still break or conclude in time for the Currie Cup in South Africa.

An NZRU delegation will travel to the IRB conference next week to table their view that the ELVs should be persevered with, though they also noted teams were exploiting short-arm penalty sanctions.

A decision on Luke McAlister's eligibility for the All Blacks would be left until the national coaches could attend next month's board meeting.

Discussions were still continuing about the All Blacks playing a test in Japan en route to Europe this year.