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.