The International Rugby Board's representative in New Zealand says the organisation is under no time pressure to award television rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
TVNZ and TV3 are working up a joint bid led by Maori Television after Prime Minister John Key stepped in to prevent a taxpayer-funded bidding war.
Rugby World Cup Limited general manager Ross Young told Waatea News any variation in terms would need to go through the International Management Group in London and the tender process has already been extended.
"We don't have to award the rights to any set timeframe. We don't have to award the rights at all, though I couldn't see that being a viable option. There's no pressing timeframe. We just need to make sure we need to make the right call," Mr Young says.
Rugby World Cup's criteria are the amount it is offered, what the broadcaster is prepared to do to promote the event and the production values of the broadcasts.
Tariana Turia takes responsibility
The co-leader of the Maori Party, Tariana Turia, says her party can take some responsibility for the stoush over Rugby World Cup broadcasting rights.
Maori Party MPs had expressed disappointment about some National Party ministers' handling of the situation, in which Maori Television and Television New Zealand were set to enter a bidding war for the right to broadcast the matches.
The Prime Minister John Key acknowledged the process had been poor, and said his ministers had to take some responsibility.
Speaking from the party's annual conference in Auckland on Saturday, Mrs Turia said her party also played a role.
"I think we all need to look at the processes that were used and ensure that it doesn't happen again."
Mrs Turia has confirmed she will not step at the end of the term, as previously indicated, saying her personal circumstances now allow her to stay on.
