Rugby’s proud provinces in danger of becoming rubber-stampers
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is facing its biggest standoff since the union was formed in 1892, when the country was still a colony and three unions didn’t want to unite. This one could be ignited by the threatened resignation of board chairperson Dame Patsy Reddy unless the 26 provincial unions butt out, as she desires, and let an independent board of nine superstars rule the total roost without their hands being tied.
The union’s founding 152 years ago wasn’t straightforward either. Manawatū was one of the original members, represented by one George Newth, but at the time Canterbury, Otago and Southland held out, rather than be controlled by an outfit in Wellington.
The provinces of today remain the game’s custodians, a right given to them when the constitution of 1892 was drawn up. They have the power of veto for what is a sport first and a $300 million business second, for professionals and amateurs.
They aren’t going to forfeit that veto readily and will probably call Dame Patsy’s bluff with a nay vote. They’ll say she came out of the Governor-General’s digs, rather than out of rugby rooms, and is expendable. Then what? Civil war perhaps?
Board members must be financially competent with rugby in mind. The 125page Pilkington Report demands corporate credentials “fit for purpose” while demanding gender and racial diversity.
NZ Rugby and the provinces, which aren’t going to just roll over, are going to have to compromise.
This week, NZR popped up with a proposal to quell the provinces, a “Rugby Council” for non-voting stakeholders in what would be a coalition of the toothless.
The major problem with the provinces is there are too many of them. The likes of Buller, West Coast and East Coast barely scratch a few club teams together and their Heartland rep teams fly in surplus players from the big centres.
These pipsqueaks retain first-class status and NZ Rugby pays to fly and bus them on expensive tiki tours such as Hokitika to Ruatoria or Oamaru to Thames Valley, which is nuts. In a blow for heartland rugby, their Grassroots Rugby television coverage has fallen over this year.
Each of those small unions and the Māori Rugby Board has two votes at general meetings, so collectively they have power and Dame Patsy’s quitting ultimatum will be red rags to them.
There was a time where provinces had management committees whose members were supposed to be neutral, but who mostly operated as stubborn club delegates.
NZ Rugby has four elected members of similar ilk from provinces and they want them gone.
It was worse when the provinces put up chaps as reward for time served. Now NZR directors reputedly receive honorariums of up to $100,000. If the provinces are depowered and super directors are appointed, who owns the game? Even big New Zealand companies with high-powered directors turn turtle.
There’s a fear new super board members might be bereft of rugby DNA and the provinces won’t wear that. Currently, there are gender quotas on unions when ability should be key, male or female.
The non-voting NZ Rugby Players’ Association has too much influence, notably in the form of noise by Rob Nichol. It represents paid players, not the massive grassroots, and its board is made up of players only.
Manawatū has the NZR deputy chairwoman, Farah Palmer, one of five elected members, who also has a damehood, but is as rugby as anyone. However, after seven years and three terms, she has hinted her time might be up.
If there is a super board and the provinces lose their sway, it could be curtains for those unions which always overspend. Manawatū used some of its $1 million Silver Lake grant to donate about $10,000 to each club while worryingly, other provinces have used it to clear debt.
Razor is his own man
Rugby pundits guessing about the upcoming make-up of the All Blacks overlook the fact there is a new coach in town.
Razor Robertson won’t care that Finlay Christie was the next halfback on Ian Foster’s roster. When the Hurricanes played at Dunedin last Saturday, the Highlanders’ lethal lynchpin was the unpredictable Folau Fakatava. He’s an unorthodox sniper along Frenchman Antoine Dupont lines.
All Fakatava needs is a visit to the barber to have his romney mane shorn, because it should be all black.
The tragedy of that game was Aussie referee Damon Murphy inadvertently obstructing All Black Cam Roigard and letting play continue. Roigard was distracted, was tackled awkwardly and ruptured a patella tendon.
Manawatū captain Brayden Iose is entering national rugby chatter thanks to his good form and getting regular starts at No8.
Remember, there is also a New Zealand A team being picked this year.