Murray Mexted mans microphone

It seems you can't keep a good man down – just ask Murray Mexted.

Amid rumours this week that the controversial Sky Sport commentator had been handed his pink slip for criticising the New Zealand Rugby Union's plans to cull the Air New Zealand Cup last year, Mexted's employer broke its silence on his future, and the news is pretty good for "Big Mex".

Sky spokesman Tony O'Brien confirmed he will be back on the air in 2010. To what extent he would not say.

Mexted indicated earlier this week it would not be to the same extent as previous years.

But it seems that, if the master of the double entendre is on song, he will be as ubiquitous as ever. "We mix and match our talent depending on the game and our schedule," said O'Brien. "Nothing has changed in that respect."

There's also good news for the New Zealand Maori team, whose playing schedule was canned amid cutbacks in 2009.

The NZRU is poised to announce a full playing schedule this year to celebrate Maori rugby's centenary, with England a likely opponent, with possibly Wales and Australia all in the mix.

- © Fairfax NZ News