Richie McCaw is "very close" to confirming he's staying on in New Zealand beyond this year's World Cup but Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams remain more complex negotiations.

That was the clear message from New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Steve Tew today as he updated the latest from the attempts to re-sign the "big three", McCaw, Daniel Carter and Sonny Bill Williams.

Tew confirmed both McCaw and Carter have been offered four year deals with plenty of flexibility, and their key goal is to have them in New Zealand in 2012 and 2013.

In this week's Super 15 clash, the Crusaders meet the Cheetahs at 5:10am Sunday.

On Friday night at 7:35pm the Highlanders meet the Hurricanes and at 9:40pm the Reds meet the Blues.


Story by: Dhanjay Deo