NZ's Super15 teams to sign offshore players

[TRF_Cymro]

New Zealand's Super 15 Rugby teams will be able to sign foreign players for the tournament after an agreement has been reached between the parties involved.

The New Zealand Rugby Union and the association representing its professional players has cleared the way for overseas players to join New Zealand Super rugby teams for the first time.

The NZRU and New Zealand Rugby Players Association have announced the signing of a collective employment agreement which will allow Super 15 franchises to expand their squads from 28 players currently to between 30 and 32 players, including two from overseas.
The recruitment of overseas players can begin in 2011 under criteria specified by the New Zealand union and with the union's approval.

The agreement includes a new player contracting and payment model which allows Super 15 franchises to contract players directly.

Players will be employed on new New Zealand Rugby contracts which can include a Super 15 retainer up to a maximum of NZ$180,000 (US$126,000) and an NZRU retainer with no upper limit.

The minimum Super Rugby retainer will increase to NZ$70,000 (US$49,000) next year, up from $65,000.

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=26365​

 

[dangandan]

this is good. overseas players will benefit greatly from playing for NZ Super 14 teams. btw is that cheerleader missing her front tooth? ew.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They've gone about it the right way as well, by expanding the teams. It makes sure they aren't taking away places from NZ players

 

[Charles]

Interesting. I'm sure some french players would love to play in NZ...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The money bit at the bottom, am i right in thinking it means:
Minimum wage is $70k,
Maximum wage is $180k, but the NZRU can also pay players as much as they want, but only to All Black players?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The money bit at the bottom, am i right in thinking it means:
Minimum wage is $70k,
Maximum wage is $180k, but the NZRU can also pay players as much as they want, but only to All Black players?

Think so and its good to have a cap there also. Smart move.

 

[Darwin]

The money bit at the bottom, am i right in thinking it means:
Minimum wage is $70k,
Maximum wage is $180k, but the NZRU can also pay players as much as they want, but only to All Black players?

Players do also get their ITM cup retainer (ranging from $15k-$60k), however is there any wonder that the vast majority of NZ players go overseas to earn more money?
http://www.nzrpa.co.nz/home/news?p=view&news_id=92

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's hardly pittance though.


With the NZRU thing, does that mean that if the NZRU started making mega bucks somehow, they could, in theory, pay the All Blacks players more than the French clubs?

 

[Darwin]

It's hardly pittance though.


With the NZRU thing, does that mean that if the NZRU started making mega bucks somehow, they could, in theory, pay the All Blacks players more than the French clubs?

In theory yes, however our top players (McCaw, Carter) are getting approximately $500,000/year - Toulon reportedly offered SBW $2 Million/year, 4 times as much as our highest paid All Blacks! The NZRFU has recorded losses over the last 2-3 years so I don't see them being able to match the French clubs anytime soon.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The wages on offer won't attract Europe based players...............unless the mooted 20/20 rugby competition in SA goes ahead and in effect tops up salaries for the Super XV.

For example Brian O'Driscoll's contract runs out after the 2011 World Cup. He could take up a big money deal/pension in France or he could take a few months off, play the 20/20 tournament in SA in January 2012 and then sign for a Super XV club in SA, Oz or, with this relaxation of the rules, NZ.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

In theory yes, however our top players (McCaw, Carter) are getting approximately $500,000/year - Toulon reportedly offered SBW $2 Million/year, 4 times as much as our highest paid All Blacks! The NZRFU has recorded losses over the last 2-3 years so I don't see them being able to match the French clubs anytime soon.

Yeah, i saw about that as well,
I just meant in theory, i know that players won't be getting that level of money anywhere but France (or to a lesser extent Japan)

 

[Tooki]

I think the allure of being an All-Black is enough to keep a lot of players in NZ, and in bringing Sonny-Bill over.