Black Ferns Cup win: Celebrations planned after ‘one of NZ’s greatest sporting triumphs’

A public parade through Wellington, or at the minimum an event outside Parliament, for the Black Ferns is being “worked towards” says Sports and Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson.

He labelled their Rugby World Cup win on Saturday night “one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting triumphs” that enthralled the nation.

Further, Robertson said the Black Ferns were “exceptional athletes and people” and had made the whole country feel a part of it.

“I believe their triumph at Eden Park is one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting triumphs.”

During a post-Cabinet press conference Robertson, standing in for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who is in Southeast Asia, also called on New Zealand Rugby - and all sports bodies - to ramp up their support for women’s sport and achieve pay parity.

It’s been revealed the All Blacks are on track for bonuses from New Zealand Rugby of at least $150,000 if they win the men’s world cup next year, while the women so far have not received a cent.

Chief executive Mark Robinson told RNZ today they were looking to backtrack on that arrangement with an announcement in the next few days.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has also thrown her support behind a parade through the city to celebrate the win - the sixth world cup claimed by the Black Ferns - as has been done in the past for the All Blacks on multiple occasions and Team New Zealand for victory in the America’s Cup.

Whanau met with Robertson today to discuss the idea. Robertson said the team itself was on a two-week break currently with family and friends, so they were working on something for when they returned.

He said at the minimum they were looking at an event at Parliament, as had been down for the All Blacks and Silver Ferns netball team too.

He did not rule out a parade but said that was more on the “end of the council” around logistics and traffic management.

“I’m not saying no to that what I’m saying is from our perspective, we want to hold an event here to recognize the amazing achievements and that’s what we’re working towards with the team.”

Asked why it hadn’t been planned for earlier and if it was more an “afterthought” Robertson said he disagreed. There had already been a small event in Auckland and after the team break, they were looking at a larger celebration.

Whanau told the Herald they were liaising with Parliament to see what can be done in the coming weeks.

“Acknowledging all the Black Ferns have achieved – winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup, bringing the country together, and taking women’s sport to a new level in Aotearoa – is something I strongly support. I’m sure many Wellingtonians do as well.”

‘One of New Zealand’s greatest sporting triumphs’

The Black Fern’s win came in front of a record sell-out crowd of nearly 43,000 fans at Eden Park, with a further estimated 1.3 million people in New Zealand watching on television

The growing interest in the women’s game throughout the tournament has thrown fuel on the fire around fair pay in sports.

A month ago, it was revealed England’s players would get a cool $30,000 if they won the competition while the Black Ferns squad were in line to get nothing.

This compares to their male counterparts in the All Blacks, who are in line to win at least $150,000 each should they win in France next year.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson told RNZ today they could backtrack on the arrangement with the Black Ferns in light of their victory.

He said he was hopeful they will “sort through that” in the next few days.

“It would be nice to do something,” Robinson said.

New Zealand Rugby said in a statement last month that its focus was on transitioning the professional women’s players to a full-time employment model.

A major contract breakthrough this year now means the majority of the Black Ferns squad are on retainers of between $35,000 and $70,000 a year.

Some earn more than $130,000 – comparable to lower-end Super Rugby players. Overall it meant the Black Ferns had higher remuneration than other teams, even including lack of bonuses.

Sevens star Michaela Blyde told the Herald’s In the Loop podcast last month that while they don’t get bonuses, their salaries had increased “massively” in the last few years.

Robertson said bonuses were decisions for NZ Rugby, but he would be “delighted” if they did that.

There was “extraordinary brand value”, in the Black Ferns as demonstrated over the past six weeks of the tournament, Robertson said, and he believed that would play a part in their future contract negotiations.

Robertson said the Black Ferns had taken the game to a place where all New Zealanders could feel a part of it, and it was important to build on the legacy of the tournament.

“To give the Black Ferns the resources and game time they need, and for all women and girls in sports.”

Robertson said we should be working towards pay parity across all sports.

“This is an area that I’ve spoken about a lot since we launched our women and girls and sports strategy [in 2018].

“I believe we should be working for pay parity across all sports. There are lots of reasons why individual sports will tell you that that isn’t possible.

“One of those in the past has been the commercial value. In this case, I think we saw ample demonstration onn the weekend that there is an extraordinary brand value there in the Black Ferns.

“I no doubt that New Zealand Rugby will now be considering that for future negotiations.”

Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

He said he believed one day they would be paid the same amount as the All Blacks.

“We’ve seen that in other codes and other sports. In Eden Park on Saturday night, I have never felt an atmosphere like that. I think that the talent and skill level of this team was extraordinary.”

Asked about the Black Ferns’ promotion of tikanga Māori, Robertson said that had been a feature of the tournament.

He said he sat next to Prince Faisal of Jordan on Saturday night “twirling his poi” which was an “amazing” experience.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had to miss the game due to attending the East Asia Summit in Cambodia ahead of the APEC summit in Thailand.

She was able to get updates on her plane and watch the final 20 minutes, calling the team “legends” after the final whistle.

Ahead of the game, Ardern said female rugby players deserved better support and sponsorship.

“They are an amazing team, they deserve all our support. These are athletes that deserve sponsorship, that deserve to be treated in the same way as our All Blacks, because they are damn fine sportspeople.”

Wing Ruby Tui summed up some of the reaction ahead of the final, comparing the atmosphere to 2010.

“Imagine this: Nobody knows who the Black Ferns are, nobody knows what they look like, nobody follows women’s rugby, we’re told ‘you’ll never be paid’, we’re told ‘we’re never giving you Eden Park for the World Cup’.

“We’re told ‘women’s rugby doesn’t matter’, and here we are 12 years later. Eden Park is sold out.”

Ukraine Defence Force training contingent halved

Meanwhile, another contingent of New Zealand Defence Force members will travel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukrainian soldiers to fight against Russia, the Government has announced.

Robertson made the announcement alongside Defence Minister Peeni Henare at today’s post-Cabinet press conference.

It was agreed today to deploy one infantry training team, consisting of 66 Defence Force personnel, to the UK from November 30 to July 31 next year.

Currently, two infantry teams totalling 120 people are training Ukrainians in the UK.

It is in addition to other deployments and extensions of stay for members of New Zealand’s Defence Force who would be and had been assisting in Ukraine’s effort to repel Russian forces.

The Government had also confirmed $1.85 million would be donated to the World Food Programme to address global food insecurity, exacerbated by the war.

Another $1.85 million contribution would be made in order to purchase non-lethal military equipment and supplies for Ukraine during the northern winter.

”The extended support builds on the package of military, diplomatic, legal and humanitarian assistance provided by Aotearoa New Zealand since Russia’s war of aggression began in February,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.

”Putin’s continued pursuit of this war is fundamentally wrong.

“We call on Russia to reverse course and withdraw from Ukraine. Ukrainians, both in uniform and civilians, die every day as Russia’s senseless attacks continue.”

Robertson said this type of support from countries distant, but with similar values to Ukraine, was “deeply appreciated”.

Asked why New Zealand was halving the number of personnel being trained, Henare said the same amount would head over across the course of the training mandate.

New Zealand was “sharing the load” with other countries, and it was important personnel remained in New Zealand especially to assist with issues in the Pacific coming into cyclone season.

Robertson said this was the largest and most sustained commitment New Zealand had made in recent memory.

He said overall, New Zealand had contributed over $45 million in support alongside sanctioning over 1200 Russian individuals.

On reports of New Zealand soldiers in Ukraine, a defence spokesman said they had no contact with the soldier. The soldier had left the army four years ago.

Robertson said the Government’s position hasn’t changed.

”New Zealanders shouldn’t be in Ukraine to fight.”

The soldier has appeared in foreign news videos on the conflict and in social media posted by foreign fighters.

The New Zealand Defence Force said the man was not in the country in an official capacity.