New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) boss Rob Nichol is bitterly disappointed following the rejection of a ‘transformative governance proposal’ at New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) special general meeting today.
The rejected Proposal One, supported by NZRPA, NZR, the Māori Rugby Board, and Super Rugby franchises, aimed to implement recommendations from a recent review. These included the resignation of the 29 Provincial Union (PU) representatives and the establishment of a fully independent board to ensure the sport’s future vitality and relevance. However, the provincial unions voted overwhelmingly in favour of Proposal Two, which maintains their influence, prompting Nichol to criticise this choice as a missed opportunity to adopt a model that prioritises the sport’s broader interests over provincial priorities.
Despite the setback, Nichol reaffirmed the NZRPA’s commitment to forming an independent body to oversee professional rugby, distinct from the provincial union-dominated NZR structure. This decision aligns with strategies used in other rugby nations like France, where the professional game is governed in tandem with the national union.
Nichol emphasised that the new structure would focus on making effective decisions for professional rugby, ensuring it remains efficient and aligned with the needs of the game in New Zealand. The formation of this tribunal aims to protect the interests of the professional game and its community connections, challenging the current governance model that he argues serves the provincial unions’ interests over the sport as a whole.
