‘Not fit for purpose’: New Zealand rugby union set for civil war after player revolt over administration of game

A number of high-profile signatories led by the All Blacks’ captain have given New Zealand Rugby an ultimatum as a stand off three years in the making reaches boiling point.

Rugby in New Zealand is on the brink of civil war before the All Blacks play two Tests against England in July. The country’s leading players have threatened to set up a breakaway governing body to run the professional game in a dramatic escalation of a dispute with their paymasters.

All Blacks’ captain Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Richie McCaw, David Kirk and Ruby Tui are among the high-profile signatories of an ultimatum letter sent to New Zealand Rugby (NZR) by the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA).

At a NZR special general meeting on May 30, stakeholders will vote on a new governance model after a report published last year concluded that its structure was not fit for purpose. The NZR chairwoman, Patsy Reddy, has proposed a fully independent board, as recommended by the review.

New Zealand Rugby Chair Dame Patsy Reddy speaking to media last year. Picture: Michael Bradley/Getty Images

But the 26 provincial unions are unwilling to relinquish all control and have tabled an alternative plan that would guarantee at least three of the nine directors be appointed from one of their boards. The NZRPA warned in its letter to all NZR voting members – the provincial unions and Maori Rugby board – that a vote for “Proposal 2” would split the game in two.

The players’ union would set up a new governing body called The Professional Rugby Tribunal. NZR, which would run the community game, would have to work as partners with the new entity if it wanted access to elite players for the All Blacks and Black Ferns.

“Should Proposal 2 be adopted, or the status quo prevail, the professional players will no longer pass to NZR, via a collective employment agreement, the right to govern the professional game,” the letter read. “The adoption of Proposal 2 will result in the NZRPA being forced to establish a new governance arrangement for professional rugby in New Zealand.

“The professional rugby players of New Zealand will not be governed by the failed governance processes and outcomes currently in place in New Zealand.”

The players’ statement claimed the adoption of Proposal 2 would “entrench failed processes” and leave them with “no option” but to establish an alternative organisation. It would govern, in partnership with NZR, areas such as the sale of media rights, sponsorship deals, high-performance programs and development pathways and “any other activity that impacts the careers, safety, remuneration, workplace and development of professional players”.

All Black’s captain Sam Cane is one of the signatories. Picture: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Under the players’ proposal, NZR would be solely responsible for the community and amateur game. The statement added: “You will be aware that the professional players and NZR share the assets needed to operate professional rugby. For instance, NZR owns the silver fern logo, the names of our great teams and the right to enter competitions such as the Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup and Rugby World Cup. The combination of these assets with the players creates the opportunity for professional rugby in New Zealand.”

The governance row started in 2021 when the players’ union blocked NZR from selling a 12.5 per cent stake to the private equity firm Silver Lake for about pounds 198 million. NZRPA returned to the negotiating table – ultimately leading to a 5 per cent stake being sold – only on condition that NZR instigated an independent governance review.

The report was published just before the World Cup last year and concluded that the governance structure of NZR was not fit for purpose, with too much power held by the provincial unions.

In a sign of further disarray in New Zealand, the Blues are trying to persuade the authorities to allow them to field Beauden Barrett in their quest to win the Super Rugby Pacific title. Barrett, who has 123 caps, has returned from Japan but is not eligible under existing regulations to feature for a Super Rugby side.

Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) and Sam Cane (Chiefs) have also returned from Japan. New Zealand are also trying to find a way of levering Richie Mo’unga out of his club contract in Japan so he can also be available to play in the Tests against England in July.

The Times

Originally published as ‘Not fit for purpose’: New Zealand rugby union set for civil war after player revolt over administration of game