With the NRL season opener just days away, broadcasting rights in New Zealand are still up in the air.

The six-month season begins on Thursday, when the Sydney Roosters meet the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.

The Warriors kick-off against Parramatta in their season-opener at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday.

A Sky TV spokeswoman says negotiations between broadcaster and the NRL are continuing, with Sky yet to secure the rights.

“We’re absolutely hoping to this week, but I certainly can’t guarantee that,” she told NZ Newswire.

The NRL last year signed a five-year, $1 billion broadcast deal with Fox Sports and Channel Nine, the richest television deal in rugby league’s history and more than double the previous deal signed in 2005.