Sanzaar and New Zealand Rugby bosses have expressed surprise at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's suggestion that "politics" was behind the decision to award the Rugby Championship hosting rights to Australia.
Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos and NZR counterpart Mark Robinson were baffled by the comments, insisting instead that the more favourable quarantine regulations across the ditch was the reason for the revamped four-nation tournament moving there.
The Herald reported early on Friday that the tournament, set to start in November and originally destined for New Zealand, would be moved across the Tasman following a crunch meeting between representatives from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
However, Ardern insisted at a press conference shortly before the announcement that "Sanzaar politics" was to blame for the decision.
"We worked very hard with health and tournament workers to make it work.
"If this decision doesn't go our way, I'd say it would be a result of Sanzaar politics more than anything else, she said.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan, Marinos denied Ardern's comments.
"I have no idea, just a very interesting reflection point she's got there. [Politics weren't involved] in this decision at all, and all four parties were at the table. I can't stress enough the whole emphasis right from the beginning… we had to make sure it ticked the box and it was commercially viable and sustainable," Marinos said.
"Secondly our teams would be able to come into a quarantine regime that would enable them to prepare and get themselves in the best possible shape."
Robinson concurred.
"No I don't understand it [Ardern's comments], and it's certainly not the case. There's a lot of speculation going around.
"We are very clear, Sanzaar have been very clear in their statement.
"We gave it our absolute best because we know the significant impact it would have made in this country. We know that having six or so big match days around the country... as well as giving the nation a lift, quite apart from the economic impact that would have had, it was something that was dear to us all."
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
