Sky TV Still Negotiating To Confirm Rights To All Blacks Clash Against Italy

New Zealand's All Blacks squad to tour Europe has been named, but Sky Television has "yet to confirm" whether it will be broadcasting the match, according to Patrick McKendry of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Sky spokesperson Kirsty Way said that Sky TV and an int'l brokerage company negotiating on behalf of the Italy Rugby Union "have yet to agree on a price for the rights." Next month's Skywatch magazine cover features cartoons "representing an All Black and players from Scotland, England and Wales, but an Italian is conspicuous by his absence." This also applies to the listings as there is no indication of the match against Italy in Rome. The game is scheduled to kicks off at 3am (NZT) on Nov. 18. Way added, "We're in negotiations, Sky has put a bid for the match, we're very keen to show it, but we have not received confirmation that we have been successful" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 10/29).