Rugby fans can breathe easy - the All Blacks' test against Italy next weekend will be shown live after all.
After being locked in negotiations to secure the broadcasting rights to the match, Sky TV today confirmed the match would indeed be screened live on Sky Sport 1.
Earlier this week, Sky released its broadcast schedule for the rest of the year and the All Blacks' match with Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Rome was conspicuous by its absence.
Sky spokeswoman Kirsty Way said the fee, which Sky bases on potential viewership the match brings, was the stumbling point. But that has evidently been overcome to avoid the ignominy of having an All Blacks match go uncovered for the first time in the professional era.
Way said the last time the broadcast of an All Blacks match was threatened was during the 2001 end-of-year tour when Telstra Clear acquired the rights but got into difficulty and ended up selling the rights to Sky.
