News Ltd corporate affairs director Greg Baxter told Australia's Daily Telegraph he was not impressed by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) directive over player rest periods.

NZRU chief executive Chris Moller said 22 All Blacks will be stepped down from their franchises for first seven rounds of the 2007 Super 14.

"It would be premature to speculate, but obviously if the best players are not going to be available for a major portion of the Super 14, then I think that implies pretty clearly that the competition and the people interested in that competition are not going to be given the best players," said Baxter.

"That would be of concern to us as the broadcast rights holder.

"We'd be wanting to discuss with the NZRU and, I guess through SANZAR, arrangements for compensation or things like that.

"We are not happy with these developments."

News Ltd has a five-year broadcasting rights deal with the SANZAR rugby unions - New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - worth more than NZ$664m (£22.4m) for the next four seasons.