Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton insists the defection of skipper Peter Burling isn't the reason he's unconvinced by the change to the nationality rules for the next America's Cup

The three-time Cup winner has joined Italian challenger Luna Rossa ahead of the 2027 edition in Naples.

Today's confirmed shake-up to the protocol places confirms the 100 per cent nationality rule is gone, and two of the five sailors on any boat can be non-nationals.

While Dalton admits they compromised in agreeing to the change - he says that's not about Burling, because they're not sure he'll even be on the Luna Rossa boat.