New Zealand Rugby is weighing sweeping changes to the professional game as it grapples with a structural deficit of about $20 million a year and projected combined losses of $66 million between 2027 and 2031.
Despite revenue reaching a record $300 million last year, rising player payments, expanding competitions, growth in the women’s game and mounting administrative costs have left expenditure running too high.
Three major options are being considered: expanding Super Rugby from 10 to 12 teams, merging Super Rugby franchises with provincial unions in major centres, or replacing both Super Rugby and the NPC with a new eight-to-10-team national competition.
Rugby commentator Elliott Smith told state-funded media the sport also needs to rebuild the tribal rivalries and match-day atmosphere that have helped make the Warriors and NRL successful, with New Zealand teams playing one another more regularly. With leadership now more settled, NZ Rugby faces crucial decisions over the next year as it attempts to cut costs, strengthen its domestic competitions and preserve the All Blacks as the sport’s premium product.
Image credit: Angel Arcalle
Our Board is charged with setting strategy, direction and policy for New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
Really?
ok – so where is the money actually going?
NOWHERE in this report does it mention where the money is going.
Keep on spending where there is little / low/ no positive return and you keep on doing the same thing whilst expecting different results.
There MUST be a hard look at who gets paid what and what is the return – woman’s rugby is an obvious consideration – lots of money out and bugger all back.
Management is another – who gets paid what and for what reason – Performance requirements anyone?
Competent and capable are the first requirements – don’t see too much of that in NZ rugby – far too much PC dribble and lack of ability / common sense.
If it does not provide a good return then don’t do it – female / women’s rugby is a classic example – lots paid out and SFA return.
DEI / RACE BAIT suck up to females, or anyone with a brown skin ?
What about a really radical consideration – talent????? that is marketable and can produce good returns.
There are and have been and will continue to be plenty of talents from many backgrounds and nothing to do with females per se or the colour of skin. – talent talent talent!!!!
OR – is the castle blanket of failure still rotting on top????? and nobody has the spine to get their heads out of the self congratulatory mirror and face the facts.