NZR can’t afford to

Ex-all Blacks coach Laurie Mains recently voiced his concerns about the future of New Zealand’s rugby provincial unions under Covid-19. While the immediate future of Super Rugby has receivedmost of the attention from the media, understandable given the competition was forced to stop in March, Mains emphasised it was vital the provinces were not overlooked.

When Mains spoke to Stuff recently he was worried about all levels of the game, starting with the clubs. It was no secret he believed NZ Rugby hadn’t been doing enough for club footy in recent times.

Those small establishments still have to keep paying the bills. Some have staff to remunerate, rates need to be paid and grounds have to be maintained.

With no people attending or playing games there’s no money flowing over the bars, and it’s near impossible to hold fundraisers. The clubs, like many businesses, are in survival mode.

But Mains was most apprehensive about the issues confronting the provincial unions, and how they will survive this crisis: “The real financial burden starts at provincial level,’’ he said.

NZ Rugby is on the ropes, and faces a loss of up to $130 million if none of its products can be presented to broadcaster Sky in 2020.

Provincial unions receive about $30 million in funding a year, and late last month were slated to receive payments for the second quarter.

NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinsonwarned a trimmed budget couldmean pain for the provinces ahead of the next payment.

Provinces have already started to slash their budgets and the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby Football Union have announced they will make staff redundant. It’s understood up to 13 staff, who supply their skills to both organisations, have been told they will soon be let go.

NZ Rugby pays the Super Rugby players’ wages, unlike the provinceswho have to reimburse contracted players.

The Government’s wage subsidy scheme has meant the CRFU has received about $400,000, but it won’t go far; not when commercial partners and sponsors are among those watching their revenues fall off a cliff.

The CRFU’S annual report for 2019 shows its expenses from rugby activities came to about $7 million.

Last week Crusaders coach Scott Robertson revealed a 10-week domestic competition for the five New Zealand