Kiwis go cold on ANZAC prospect

Australian Rugby Union CEO John O'Neill will have to find a new cash cow.

According to media reports O'Neill's ANZAC Test concept for 2015 has received a cold shoulder from his New Zealand counterpart.

The ARU boss has floated the idea of combined team of Wallabies and All Blacks playing the British and Irish Lions to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has already dismissed it and NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew says it doesn't hold a great deal of "appeal".

"Where you fit this in without putting more pressure on players, or diminishing what you're already committed to, which clearly has an impact on budgets and programmes and commitments, your major sponsors and everything else," Tew told Newstalk ZB.

"We wouldn't dismiss it out of hand, but John [O'Neill] was obviously having one of his 'thinking out loud' moments," the Kiwi boss added

* Meanwhile, Tew declared himself "pleased" with the just completed three-Test format in June - which saw New Zealand wrap up their series against Ireland 3-0 with a record 60-0 drubbing in Hamilton at the weekend.