Decision on sevens fate still pending
A decision on whether Wellington will continue to host the sevens could be known in two weeks.
The powerhouses of world rugby are heading to Tokyo, Japan, for the Rugby World Cup 2019 pool draw on May 10, and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Steve Tew said the Wellington leg of the sevens series was due to be discussed then.
The latest update in the slowmoving sevens saga came yesterday as Tew declared NZR’s finances to be in ‘‘solid financial health’’ after it generated record-high earnings of $161.7 million last year – up 21 per cent on 2015.
But despite those earnings, the organisation posted a $6m loss for the year, according to its annual report, which was tabled at its 125th annual meeting in Wellington.
‘‘Rugby is, increasingly, what I call a very hungry beast,’’ Tew said in explaining the loss.
‘‘The community requires more support, the provincial game needs more help in retaining our talent, particularly against the ridiculous model that is the French club system continu[ing] to be a challenge.’’
The report showed NZR had made a deliberate decision to invest expected earnings from the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour before that money was in its bank accounts.
‘‘We are investing in the additional income smartly, and spreading it evenly over the economic cycle through to 2020,’’ Tew said.
‘‘Rather than spending it all in one year, we are ensuring the financial benefits from the Lions’ series and other areas of income are invested sustainably over the midterm to set rugby up for long-term success.’’
But the long-term success of the Wellington Sevens is looking less secure, after dismal spectator numbers at January’s tournament.
Tew said New Zealand Rugby had ‘‘conducted a very thorough review’’ of this year’s tournament and the findings were due to be discussed in a meeting with World Rugby in Tokyo.
‘‘We’ve got some ideas about the future of sevens, we’re consulting the people we need to consult with, and as soon as we’ve finished that process, we’ll let you know.’’
Yesterday’s annual report, which did not cover January’s event, offered little insight into the organisation’s expectations for the annual tournament.
There was only one reference to the tournament in the 67-page document, aiming ‘‘to achieve or better [the] Wellington Sevens budget’’.
‘‘Rugby is, increasingly, what I call a very hungry beast.’’ New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew
Tew also revealed yesterday that a reporting date for the Respect and Responsibility Review Panel had been pushed back until June or July.
The panel, chaired by lawyer Kathryn Beck, was set up to improve the sport’s attitudes to women, after a succession of scandals last year.
It was due to deliver its preliminary outcomes to New Zealand Rugby’s board yesterday.
Tew said the delay was ‘‘mainly because a lot of people want to be involved’’.
‘‘It will be a confronting report but it will be good for rugby if it wants to retain its place as a contributor to New Zealand society.
‘‘The [panel] wants to deliver a report that is realistic and has recommendations that are doable. That’s kind of the key phrase.’’