All Black ‘boycott’ threat sparks response from IRB

THE International Rugby Board (IRB) insisted it was committed to addressing the financial concerns over the World Cup that have led to a threat from the All Blacks to boycott the 2015 tournament in England.

While the All Blacks were concentrating on trying to win the competition for the first time in 24 years, the head of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), Steve Tew claimed that they could boycott the 2015 event because the World Cup’s current rules mean they lose too much money. Tew said that competing at the current tournament would cost the NZRU more than NZ$13m (€7.5m) because IRB rules forced the curtailment of regular test schedules such as the Tri-Nations and November internationals in Europe, and prevented teams showcasing regular sponsors.

“It’s putting pressure on the balance sheet and frankly, in the current environment, we just can’t afford to run a World Cup-year loss, nor do we think it’s necessary,” Tew told New Zealand radio.

Having earlier claimed the prospects of New Zealand competing in 2015 were “very slim”, he said there would be more discussions. “(Boycotting’s) a last resort and our style is to be consultative, collaborative and to try to work with everybody to find a solution. We have the support of most of the major unions and a review is not only necessary but now, in our view, urgent.”

The IRB responded by saying that a review was set to take place after the current tournament.

“The IRB is already driving forward that process and is committed to working in collaboration with member unions to ensure that it continues to balance the strategic needs of unions with the ability to provide the IRB with the financial platform for the development of a sport that has witnessed an 18% growth in participation since the last World Cup,” the IRB said in a statement.

“All tournament commercial revenues are reinvested by the IRB across its 117 member unions during the four-year cycle between tournaments to increase competitiveness and advance development in order that rugby can be a truly global sport.

“The current investment programme is £150m (€172) between 2009 and 2012, with over 50% of the funding invested in tier one unions.”