The $323-million broadcasting deal that has secured the financial future of southern-hemisphere rugby for the next five years has been welcomed by New Zealand players, but they question the workload that goes with it.
”Like any deal, it has pros and cons,” players’ association chief executive Rob Nichol said on Thursday after Sanzar — the alliance of the South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby unions — confirmed the new agreement with News Ltd and South Africa’s Supersport.
It replaces a 10-year, $555-million agreement that expires next year and represents a 16% increase on an average annual basis over the existing contract.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chairperson Jock Hobbs said the new five-year arrangement, which takes effect in 2006, will secure the financial future of the game in all three countries when the present pact expires.
But the terms on which the deal was sealed — another round added to the Tri-Nations championship plus expansion of the Super 12 to Super 14 — could become a point of contention between the All Blacks, other prominent Super 14 players and the NZRU.
Nichol said the demand on players, particularly on the elite, is obviously going to increase.
”And when you increase the demand in one area in terms of a player’s career, you need to take it away in another area … a compromise that has to be made to meet the requirements in their arrangement,” he said.
David Jones, agent for All Blacks Carlos Spencer and Doug Howlett, wanted to know what additional playing, assembly and training commitments players will face with the extra games in the Tri-Nations and the expanded Super 12.
Hobbs said expansion of the Super 12 and additional Tri-Nations tests is pivotal to renegotiating with News Ltd. — Sapa-AFP