Long-standing All Blacks and Super 14 sponsor Ford has begun talks with the New Zealand Rugby Union over the nature of its future backing.
Ford says there is no connection between its future and confirmation from Telecom that the phone company is on the verge of announcing a sponsorship deal.
The car maker last year extended its 15-year involvement with top level rugby to the end of this year, and a spokesperson says it is looking to carry on beyond 2009.
