Newstalk ZB
Hurricanes co-owner Malcolm Gillies has delivered an impassioned call to arms by suggesting Super Rugby could die unless serious changes are made. Wellington property developer Gillies and Porirua-based Summit Capital bailed out the Hurricanes late last year by buying a 50% stake in the franchise after a $2.5 million loss was uncovered in the previous financial year. Gillies assumed the Hurricanes chairmanship and has since adopted a hands-on approach to tackling the challenging economic climate confronting all professional rugby teams. Two years after the Melbourne Rebels’ demise, Super Rugby’s sustainability has again been thrust into the spotlight with Moana Pasifika’s five-year existence expected to conclude at the end of this season, unless an unlikely white knight is found. This would leave 10 teams in the competition. While Super Rugby Pacific is paving the way as an entertainment product thanks to law tweaks that prioritise speed and ball in play, all teams face difficulties in attracting crowds, retaining players and generating enough revenue to stay afloat. In a wide-ranging interview with the Rugby Direct podcast, Gillies outlined his belief that Super Rugby has a pimple that must be popped. Everything, from privatisation to player movement, transfer fees, New Zealand’s contracting model, eligibility and kickoff times, should evolve for the competition to survive. Gillies’ public push for change comes as Super Rugby powerbrokers gather in Christchurch this weekend at the opening of the One NZ Stadium to discuss the future of the competition. “When we got involved, we knew the Hurricanes were losing money ... the model doesn’t work. Unless there’s change, it’s not going to work,” Gillies told Rugby Direct. “You’ve got five, six, franchises in New Zealand and none of them are making a lot of money. There’s got to be change. The whole system has to change. I don’t think it’s sustainable as it sits right now. “If it stays the way it is now, I fear for it. If there’s change, then I believe we’ve got a product. But if it doesn’t, I believe it’s going to die. That’s my honest opinion. “Even more than that, if it doesn’t change, it’s not going to achieve what New Zealand Rugby or private investment wants. It probably isn’t going to achieve what the fans or players want either. “There’s a lot of good people out there that know we have to do something for the betterment of Super and New Zealand rugby.” Gillies admits he doesn’t have all the solutions. While some of his proposals would be challenging to pull off, there is no doubting his passion to drive change. Backers willing to shell out millions on often loss-making sports teams are rare, but attracting further private investment is one avenue Gillies believes would help to sustain Super Rugby. For this to be attractive, though, he says New Zealand Rugby’s centralised contracting model, in which the national body pays the salaries of the five New Zealand Super teams, should allow the franchises more freedom to retain players and recruit overseas stars. “My belief is it needs to be privatised. It cannot continue the way it is at the moment.” Gillies points to Sir Graham Henry’s recent criticism that Super Rugby isn’t producing enough quality players to compete on the international stage. “You’ve got to change the competition to give you enough competition to give you those sorts of players. “Should we bring in South Africa or Japan? Those things, I won’t be here long enough. I’m 67, I’ll be dead before that’s ever resolved because they take forever.” Under the collective agreement, NZ Super teams are permitted to sign a maximum of two foreign players. “Surely allowing overseas players to come and play in our competition would work. Why wouldn’t you? Imagine if you had the big South African lock [Eben Etzebeth] coming...
Go to News Site