SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos insists the All Blacks haven't been blindsided by the Rugby Championship draw, despite the prospect of having to quarantine away from their families at Christmas.
On Thursday, SANZAAR confirmed the draw for the tournament, which begins on November 7 and ends on December 12, with the All Blacks facing Australia in their first and last games.
The schedule means All Blacks players and staff face Christmas Day in quarantine, due to New Zealand's two-week COVID-19 isolation rules.
NZ Rugby criticised the schedule immediately after it was released with executive Mark Robinson saying that they were "working on the understanding, and all our planning and scheduling was on the basis that the All Blacks' last match would be on December 5".
But Marinos says that's far from the truth and a six-week tournament that was due to finish on December 12 was always the plan.
"All parties are having to make sacrifices to get this competition underway," he told Newshub."It is a complex issue but it's fluid and dynamic and we will keep working to find the best solution.
"The tournament was always agreed to run from November 7-December 12 and they were aware of that.
"They had put forward a proposal to finish the tournament early, but to say they were blindsided is wrong, this conversation has been ongoing for weeks to find solutions and see if there is an opportunity around getting a preferred quarantine regime."
Speaking on The Rock's Morning Rumble, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also weighed in and said all parties needed to stick to the game plan, which according to her was for the tournament to conclude in time for the All Blacks to complete their quarantine before Christmas Day.
"There was an agreement that it was going to be wrapped up by December 6 so my view is that both those should be working hard to stick to the agreement," she says.
"What we are hearing here is a broadcasting issue and it would be easier if we stick with the game plan."
Marinos admitted broadcasting commitments were a reason behind SANZAAR's decision to run the competition on the approved dates, but also hinted at player welfare as a reason.
While New Zealand and Australian players have completed domestic Super Rugby competitions, South African franchises are only playing their first games since March this weekend, while the Pumas have had no games.
Marinos also pointed out that Argentine and South African players will also have the same Christmas quarantine, following the final matchday doubleheader.
"Putting six test matches in five weeks is going to have a player welfare issue," he told Newshub.
"Are Wallabies and All Blacks going to be able to play on Saturday, then a mid-week game and again on Saturday with a very short turnaround.
"That would be a challenge then there is the commercial modelling that goes with it too. This is one of the many permutations we've been working through as we've tried to get the best solution for all parties.
"South Africa and Argentina still have to go back to their counties and quarantine. It is unfortunate but it is not something that has been manufactured, but this is the world we live in.
"I was reading about the NZ Warriors and [Roger] Tuivasa-Sheck. He's injured and turned down the chance to come home when he's been away for over five months.
"Everyone is sacrificing and we will continue to work together to get the best possible outcome and we are aware of the challenges everyone is facing."
Rugby Australia is promising to do everything it can to find a "reasonable resolution" surrounding the All Blacks Christmas quarantine dilemma.
Wallabies players are due to arrive in New Zealand on Friday to start a two week quarantine period ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup test on October 11 in Wellington.
