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New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew is confident the All Blacks' fixture against Wales will go ahead.

A row is brewing between the Welsh Rugby Union and their four regions regarding the release of players, threatening the fixture.

Tew said the NZRU, who have been guaranteed a match fee for the fixture, would "watch with interest" as the situation unfolded.

"We've seen the same situation dealt with by the Welsh before so we're confident that they will get it resolved," he told PA.

The match on November 7 in Cardiff sits outside the International Rugby Board's international window and Regional Rugby Wales, the regions' umbrella group, looks set to take the WRU to the High Court, claiming they have not been granted permission to have the players for that fixture.

However, the WRU are adamant that the release of players for the additional fixture is covered by a renewed Participation Agreement they have with the regions.

It is familiar ground for the WRU who won a similar legal battle over player-release last year for the first November Test against world champions South Africa in Cardiff.

"We think it's an issue for the Welsh," Tew added. "We're not worried about it at all. It's their domestic issue they've got to deal with and I'm confident they will sort it out."

Tew said at this stage no plans were in place to look for an alternative fixture.

"We have a contract with the Welsh and we will be looking to them to honour it," he added.

The game at Millennium Stadium follows the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in Tokyo and precedes Tests against Italy, England and France and a match against the Barbarians.

PA Sport