NZRU blames Irish Rugby Union for inflicting players – Rugby news
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) is facing difficulty with respect to retaining their players. For a month or so All Blacks in one way or other have made the headlines as the European players are in hot pursuit of New Zealanders.
NZRU is losing its patience with respect to number of players switching. NZRU has indicted the Irish Rugby Union for helping the Irish Clubs to inflict the All Blacks defection.
The move from NZRU came as Ulster has acquired All Blacks Ioane Fitu ‘John’ Afoa services. Renowned as John Afoa, All Blacks and Auckland Blues Prop and Hooker has agreed to feature for Ulster after the Rugby World Cup 2011.
In addition to Afoa, Auckland Blues Jared Payne has also agreed to be available for the Ulster at the end of Super Rugby. Jared Payne is another experienced versatile player and so far has featured for Chiefs, Crusaders and now the Blues.
Reports are that Ulster deals offered to Both John Afoa and Jared Payne deals are in excess of 750,000 New Zealand Dollars. The sum is equal to approximately 367,000-Pound Sterling.
During the summer last year, both Irish Rugby Union and NZRU have held different round of discussion to discuss the situation arising after the intention of the French Top 14 teams to recruit the players at higher price.
Referring to the earlier discussions and the Irish Clubs recent move Steve Tewis, NZRU Chief Executive said, “The Irish are certainly one union we have talked previously about the way the French system corrupts the market. Now we find in our situation the
Irish are out-pricing us.”
Already this year, All Blacks Dan Carter and now Sonny Bill Williams have been offered huge sums of money for their services for the French Club.
Apart from Ulster, Leinster and Munster too have made offer to certain NZRU players. Matt Berquist Crusaders Fly Half has agreed to join Leinster in next season. Munster have made offer to Blues Benson Stanley in place of Sam Tuitupou. Crusaders Cory Jane
is also expected to sign for Ulster.
Moreover, NZRU fears that this move would definitely be followed by other players opting for the same particularly after the Super Rugby and Rugby World Cup.
SANZAR unions have a poor history in retaining their players after the World Cups particularly as the players are attracted by huge monetary incentives provided by the European Clubs. Southern Hemisphere teams this year too are not as different as some of
the important players have not extended their contract with their respected national teams.
NZRU in recent years had some success in retaining their key players, however this years the chance look grim. With respect to the players (Afoa, Payne), choice to move away from NZRU Steve Tewis commented, “Losing Jared Payne is annoying, as is losing Johnny.
He [Afoa] is a world-class player and would continue to make an incredibly valuable contribution to Blues and New Zealand rugby for a long time. But he's at a junction of his life and he's made his decision and he goes with our blessing.”
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