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NZ Rugby World column, July 2007
As we run into what I believe will be a very competitive Rugby World Cup, I'm finding myself having sleepless nights on the future of the international game. Rugby World Cup 2007 should see some high intensity quarter finals and semis as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, and France go head to head. Game plans will have been studied, strategies devised, and goal kicking honed. And refereeing, unfortunately, might still play far too big a role. We should be relishing the prospect. Instead, I'm feeling the way I felt 10 years ago when we were threatened by the world rugby circus. The balance of power in rugby is under threat once more to the detriment of New Zealand again. Will the flood of top class All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks to play in England and France next session shift the power from the international game to the club game as it has in Soccer? I should be reveling in anticipation of Rugby World Cup '07. I'll be there with the USA Eagles as we take on England, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga. (Talk about a group of death - - we're taking 33 players and 63 doctors!) As for the last 4 tournaments, I've got tickets for New Zealand's quarters, semis, final match. This time I hope to use them all! Plus I'm sure this will be the most competitive tournament ever. My enjoyment and anticipation are being prejudiced by the accelerating problem we are facing with the shift of power from the international game to the club game in the Northern Hemisphere. 10 years ago the Rugby World Circus threatened New Zealand and the All Blacks very existence. The ongoing raid from France and England on our elite players is equally as threatening though and frankly more real. Over the past 2 to 3 years the European clubs have become profitable, the consumer proposition has improved - just visit Stade Francais - attendance has grown with 82 thousand attending the Heineken Cup final at Twickenham, and TV monies have poured in. Simultaneously, we have seriously weakened the international product with too many games thus drilling repetition and boredom down the throats of players and fans, and under strength teams from England, Ireland, France, and South Africa have completely taken fans, sponsors and broadcasters for a ride. And unlike the revitalized Six Nations, the Southern Hemisphere competitions have become stale and predictable. The French/English clubs are decimating Super 14 and trying desperately to drive Sanzar into becoming a nursery for the Northern Hemisphere club game. We could become the equivalent of Africa and Eastern Europe for the English Premier Soccer League. South Africa have been hit as badly as New Zealand with Smit, Matfield, James, Russell, Botha, Joubert, Barry, Van Niekerk, Montgomery, Sephaka, and other taking the road to Europe. The Aussies have yet to feel the pinch but they are the next in line. If this doesn't shake Sanzar out of its insular defensiveness, I don't know what will. |
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The NZRU have this at the top of its agenda but to date they have been a lone voice. The situation now is getting out of hand and, whilst never being a fan of John O'Neil in the past, I can't help but welcome his creativity, feistiness, and competitiveness back. With Steve Tew's rugby nouse these two could form a terrific partnership to save the Southern Hemisphere game. Five things they should be considering: 1) Lift the money for players and lift it fast. There is no time for further negotiation and waiting. This is a free market. The All Black jersey has value but so does the European lifestyle. Get the money increased across the board for key players. 2) Add competitive advantage benefits for loyalty. Like any other profession we should be offering things like pensions and life training. Graham Henry's "better people make better All Blacks" program needs to be extended so that we can offer serious vocational training, job experience and skill training as further competitive advantage vs. Europe. A significant improvement in benefits via pensions and injury insurance ahead of Europe is also vital. 3) We need to develop lifestyle options for our players at later stages in their careers that are guaranteed. The best place in the world to do this is the US. From next year we'll be able to offer a professional option from a playing point of view and a very interesting, upbeat, new lifestyle option that compares to France and beats the UK. 4) We need to add zest thru new club and country competitions which I have been propagating for the last few months. 5) We need to reduce the number of grinding predictable test matches our players have to play down to 10-11 max per season. 35 current Tri Nation internationals will be playing rugby in Britain or France next year. Far too many. |
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