NZR gives status quo the boot

‘‘Rugby as a sport has to change and we have been consistent with that, too.’’ Mark Robinson NZR chief executive

NZ Rugby has the cash.

The big question is how it will use money from commercial partners such as US private equity firm Silver Lake, broadcaster Sky, construction company Altrad and petrochemical firm Ineos to give the game’s stakeholders what they want.

The launch of ‘‘Reimagine Rugby’’ by NZ Rugby in Auckland yesterday, may solve some pressing issues.

NZ Rugby acknowledges there’s work to be done inside what can be a complex, multi-layered system in this country; it knows that without the amateur clubs in the 26 provinces feeding players into the pipeline, the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Super Rugby and national sevens squads would be barren.

NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson accepts there’s a lot to be done. He also knows that his organisation won’t always get things right.

‘‘We are going to have to learn to be comfortable with failing fast, trying things and moving on,’’ Robinson says. ‘‘Being curious; recognising some things will work and some won’t.

‘‘But we can’t sit with the current status quo models and be comfortable that they are going to be the best thing for our game.’’

The good news is that, even as the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, NZ Rugby is financially secure.

Thanks to the Silver Lake deal, first and foremost, it has a commercial value of around $3.5 billion.

In New Zealand there are over 450 rugby clubs; more than 147,000 players, 9500 coaches, close to 1500 referees and many volunteers who give up their time during the winter months.

NZ Rugby has to be prepared to fight to keep them, and anyone who wishes to jump on the wagon. Because having a bulging bank account is of little use, if it has lost the people at the heart of the game.

‘‘We have got a job to do in the way we engage with those participants, and audiences, on and off the field,’’ Robertson said.

Rugby is not alone in trying to solve the puzzle of how to keep teenagers involved with the game after they leave school. There’s also the task of convincing parents to allow their child to participate when there’s a risk of injury against bigger kids.

NZ Rugby will hope the women’s World Cup, to be played in New Zealand later this year, can encourage more participation from females.

Fans will also want to see the All Blacks playing the best teams on a regular basis.

NZ Rugby has to repair relations with South Africa after its teams were kicked out of Super Rugby in 2020.

If the Springboks departed the Rugby Championship to play in the Six Nations after 2025 – as has been suggested at times – the All Blacks would only play the Wallabies, Pumas and possibly Japan in the championship.

Robinson, who has also had to deal with the fallout from Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan threats to leave Super Rugby in 2024, said talks with South Africa were continuing.