The 'messy' dispute between Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby over The Rugby Championship scheduling has left their relationship at its "lowest ebb" according to Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.
The revelations come as New Zealand officials lobby for a schedule change to the current format.
Speaking on NZ rugby show The Breakdown, McLennan disputed claims made by by NZ Rugby it never agreed to a six-week format for the tournament. Under the current agreement the All Blacks would potentially having to spend Christmas Day in quarantine, rather than with their families.
"On numerous occasions, for the record, going back to August 27, we at RA said we would be prepared to entertain a five-week competition but that was knocked on the head by New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina," McLennan said.
Australia voted with New Zealand to play six matches in five weeks at a September 17 meeting but rivals South Africa and Argentina knocked it back, leaving the trans-Tasman nations with little choice but to fold to the competition format.
McLennan said he has board minutes that prove NZR agreed to a six-week tournament despite their claims.
"I've seen board minutes from September 17 where the six-week competition was signed off," McLennan said.
"There's a lot of he said, she said. It's a bit messy, I have to say.
"There is respect there but the relationship is at probably the lowest ebb it's ever been at," McLennan said.
"But I'm trying my hardest to fix that over time."
If changes are to be implemented to the schedule, South Africa and Argentina would have to co-sign, while moving either the third or fourth Bledisloe Cup Test is another option.
If all four countries can't get on the same page, the All Blacks have not ruled out walking away from the December 12 Bledisloe clash at ANZ Stadium.
"I'd be really concerned about a boycott. I think it would be a tragedy for the TRC and the game," McLennan said.
"It's 10 weeks away. The restrictions are unwinding a little bit here. The NSW government has done a great job with contact tracing and we've had two days in a row where we've had no new cases.
"I think we all just need to take a deep breath and stand back a little bit."
The Wallabies will face the All Blacks in New Zealand on October 11 and 18 before returning to Australia to prepare for The Rugby Championship.
The 'messy' dispute between Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby over The Rugby Championship scheduling has left their relationship at its "lowest ebb" according to Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.
The revelations come as New Zealand officials lobby for a schedule change to the current format.
Speaking on NZ rugby show The Breakdown, McLennan disputed claims made by by NZ Rugby it never agreed to a six-week format for the tournament. Under the current agreement the All Blacks would potentially having to spend Christmas Day in quarantine, rather than with their families.
"On numerous occasions, for the record, going back to August 27, we at RA said we would be prepared to entertain a five-week competition but that was knocked on the head by New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina," McLennan said.
Australia voted with New Zealand to play six matches in five weeks at a September 17 meeting but rivals South Africa and Argentina knocked it back, leaving the trans-Tasman nations with little choice but to fold to the competition format.
McLennan said he has board minutes that prove NZR agreed to a six-week tournament despite their claims.
"I've seen board minutes from September 17 where the six-week competition was signed off," McLennan said.
"There's a lot of he said, she said. It's a bit messy, I have to say.
"There is respect there but the relationship is at probably the lowest ebb it's ever been at," McLennan said.
"But I'm trying my hardest to fix that over time."
If changes are to be implemented to the schedule, South Africa and Argentina would have to co-sign, while moving either the third or fourth Bledisloe Cup Test is another option.
If all four countries can't get on the same page, the All Blacks have not ruled out walking away from the December 12 Bledisloe clash at ANZ Stadium.
"I'd be really concerned about a boycott. I think it would be a tragedy for the TRC and the game," McLennan said.
"It's 10 weeks away. The restrictions are unwinding a little bit here. The NSW government has done a great job with contact tracing and we've had two days in a row where we've had no new cases.
"I think we all just need to take a deep breath and stand back a little bit."
The Wallabies will face the All Blacks in New Zealand on October 11 and 18 before returning to Australia to prepare for The Rugby Championship.
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