NPC under scrutiny again as brutal NZR review criticises provincial union ‘entitlement’

ANALYSIS: Rugby in New Zealand is in trouble unless it changes direction, and at present the provincial unions are sitting in the ‘problem’ category rather than the ‘solution’ one.

That’s the damning message conveyed in the independent review into New Zealand Rugby released on Thursday, which contains some withering criticism of the provincial unions.

“Provincial Union representatives we spoke with commonly described themselves as the ‘owners’ of NZR,” the review said.

“However, membership of an incorporated society does not constitute ownership. It is more a case of granting opportunities to influence the direction and control of the entity than, for example, a beneficial and inalienable right to a share of its income and assets.

“Indeed, the shareholder kind of ‘ownership’ widely spoken of, along with the sense of an entitlement to directly influence the decisions of NZR, suggest that member Unions, at best, misunderstand their membership rights and responsibilities.”

The tensions between NZ Rugby and the provincial unions has been bubbling away beneath the surface for years, and indeed the review also uncovered some “trenchant” criticism of the NZR board and executive from the provinces, who in turn weren’t even trusted by NZR not disclose sensitive information.

It’s all out in the open now, and sets the stage for what will indirectly be a fight between Super Rugby and the NPC.

The review makes is quite clear that having both in their current format is not sustainable, and there are in fact likely too many contracted rugby players for a relatively small country like New Zealand to support.

It’s not that Super Rugby escapes some choice words in the review.

“The current competition was described to us as a ‘dog’s breakfast’,” the report said. “Fans are unclear on when the competition will start, which players are available and how they should relate to both Super Rugby and NPC.”

However, with the review clearly recommending a diminution of the provincial unions’ power, through both constitutional changes and a reduction of their say in NZ Rugby board appointments, the implication is that provincial unions and the NPC should play a smaller role in the professional game.

A new board, with input from the newly created Stakeholder Council, is also instructed in the review to take a look at the structure of Super Rugby and the NPC as a matter of priority.

This is a highly emotive subject, with provincial rugby still capable of evoking parochial pride.

However, the current system, in which provincial unions also heavily influence the makeup of the NZ Rugby board, has implications right through to All Blacks level.

Indeed, the review weighed in on the process to appoint Scott Robertson this year, pointing the finger at the board’s rugby committee.

“Well-informed observers of the coaching appointment controversy told us that the committee lacked the experience that, in the exercise of its overview role, would have likely prevented the coaching decision and its timing becoming the staff employment and public relations problem that it did.”

Change, it would appear, is inevitable.