NZR to loan ABS to Quins
New Zealand Rugby has inked a deal with Harlequins which will see the English club become the destination for All Blacks seeking a European sabbatical.
‘‘This is new territory for New Zealand Rugby and this unique relationship will open some useful connections in that part of the world,’’ NZR chief executive Steve Tew said.
Harlequins would send developing players to New Zealand as part of the deal, and could also see their coaches head to New Zealand for experience, The Times reported.
The Rugby Football Union has no objection to the partnership, even though it may have benefits for England’s international rivals.
The agreement will see NZR and Harlequins co-operate on a number of projects in relation to playing and coaching resources, team training and commercial leverage opportunities.
Over the past year a number of New Zealand players have fled the south Pacific, choosing to take the money on offer in the northern hemisphere and put their All Blacks careers on hold.
Malakai Fekitoa and Steven Luatua left last season, while Lima Rassie Erasmus has taken over as Springboks head coach, signing on with South African rugby on an unusually long six-year contract, taking them through the next two World Cups.
Erasmus, who played 36 tests for the Springboks from 1997-2001 and captained his country in one test, replaced Allister Coetzee, who left as head coach last month halfway through his contract following a dismal two years with the team.
As well as taking over the national team, Erasmus will also retain his title as director of rugby for the national union SA Rugby, a job he started at the end of last year after being wooed back following a short but successful time coaching in Europe.
Erasmus, 45, has also coached in domestic and Super Rugby in South Africa. He worked recently as
Sopoaga, Brad Shields, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam and Charlie Ngatai are all heading off-shore at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season.
Harlequins boast a strong Kiwi director of rugby for Irish club Munster, where he won the 2017 coach of the year award in Europe’s Pro12 tournament.
Erasmus is regarded as an innovative and imaginative coach and once, early in his coaching career, had a habit of sitting near the top of the stadium during games and using a collection of lights to communicate instructions to his team.
He also has a reputation for preferring to work in the background rather than in the spotlight and apparently dislikes media appearances.
Erasmus’ Springboks contract will be until after the World Cup in 2023, the longest contract given to a Springboks coach in the professional era.
‘‘I am very privileged,’’ Erasmus said in a statement.
connection, with Sean Fitzpatrick on their board and Nick Evans as attack coach. Evans is expected to return to New Zealand as part of the deal, to gain coaching experience.