KEY POINTS:
Andrew Chalmers launched a counter-attack as moves to oust him from the NZRL chairmanship gained momentum and rumours of debt swung wildly between $700,000 and $1.82 million.
Chalmers accused some individuals of leaking misinformation for their own political gain and said estimates of NZRL debt were not only wildly exaggerated but also destabilising the sport.
He had planned to circulate a definitive financial position to his own board and delegates yesterday but this was delayed by news on Friday of the passing of Bryce Wakely, who was NZRL operations assistant.
Chalmers now intends to do that next week after he returns from the Kiwis' disastrous centenary tour of the UK and France.
He has been accused of extravagant and unsustainable spending and failing to keep his board and members up to date with the financial position.
"We are hearing that we could be in debt for $700,000, $1.3 million or even $1.82 million, which is an extreme blowout," one board source said on the condition of anonymity. "There has to be some answers and if they don't come sooner rather than later, then there will be implications.
"The stakeholders have said to the board, either sort it out or we will sort you out. There is a lot of nervousness around the game and whether Andrew survives as chairman is debatable."
It is understood Ray Haffenden is being touted as a possible replacement should Chalmers be dethroned, with Vinnie Weir to take over as deputy.
If it doesn't come to a head at the next board meeting on December 5, it might at the next round of elections in March when three board members will be required to step down (they can seek re-election) under the rules of the constitution.
Threats to his position are nothing new to Chalmers, who took over as chairman from Selwyn Bennett in controversial circumstances in November 2006. While he admitted that the national body was in debt, he said some of the numbers being floated were way off target.
"There are a lot of leaks and a lot of misinformation out there, which is not unusual for our sport, that some are using for their own political advantage," Chalmers said.
"The prospect of a leadership challenge is nothing new because I have put up with it for a long time. It's the norm."
There is consternation over the number of management staff on the Kiwis tour, which many believed was something the NZRL couldn't afford. Even skipper Roy Asotasi told the Herald on Sunday that it was clear to the players that some weren't pulling their weight and were "pretty much here for a holiday".
But Chalmers said the RFL and French federation were picking up the tab for all of their costs, including flights, accommodation, internal travel and daily expenses, with the exception of historian John Haynes, who was in the UK for 11 days around the All Golds tour.
"This tour has not cost us anything, except for John Haynes," he said.
He also made no excuse for a large management to back up what he described as an inexperienced side and coaching staff.
"After [the sexual incident in] Wellington, it was clear we needed to bolster the management with experienced people to provide players with more support," he said.
All Golds manager Malcolm Boyle replaced director of football Graham Lowe, who experienced health problems on the eve of the tour, while cultural adviser Bailey Mackey was charged with providing activities for the players so they weren't distracted. He replaced Paul Bergman, who was supposed to provide video analysis for Gary Kemble but returned home early.
"I'm comfortable with where our finances and our spending is at," Chalmers said. "We are no different to other sports which have all posted losses.
"Our goal is to make the NZRL fully self-sustaining by the end of 2009 and I'm confident we can achieve that. We have signed record TV rights and kit sponsorship deals and we will make a surplus from the UK tour."
