Ineos has described New Zealand Rugby's legal action as unfortunate, as the two parties clash over a strained sponsorship agreement. 

Ineos failed to pay their first 2025 instalment of an $8 million a year deal, which NZR see as confirmation they've exited the arrangement early. 

The Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned petrochemical company claims they tried to negotiate a solution before legal action hit the table. 

Local player agent Simon Porter told Mike Hosking the parties will have had extensive discussions already. 

He says this would have been a last resort, and NZR would have been trying really hard to get Ineos across the line first. 

LISTEN ABOVE