By CHRIS RATTUE
The New Zealand Rugby Union is hindering the retention of top players through its latest stance on their carrying out private promotions.
That's the claim from the Players Association over the NZRFU's attempt to ban All Black wing Doug Howlett from promoting a computer rugby game which is in competition with a game sanctioned by the union.
Howlett wants to promote a game put out by Monaco Corporation and sanctioned by the English Rugby Union. The game is sold worldwide but Howlett would promote it only in New Zealand. The NZRFU has given its name to a game put out by Electronic Arts.
Mediation talks in Auckland, attended by NZRFU assistant CEO Steve Tew and lawyer Steve Cottrell, have failed. Howlett's representative David Jones yesterday accused the union of "giving the players rights with one hand, and denying them with another".
Jones, who called the mediation talks, is also concerned that Monaco's plans were passed by the NZRFU to EA.
Both Jones and Players Association head Rob Nicol said the collective expressly permits personal promotions. It even states they cannot be declined just because the product competes with an NZRFU sponsor.
The NZRFU can decline a request only if the promotion affects the union's relationship with a sponsor or its income. The union has yet to provide any evidence of that.
Nicol pointed to the agreement between New Zealand Cricket and its players which allows such things as Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming to promote Rexona, whose rival Gillette is a key NZC sponsor.
Nicol said the latest rugby collective, agreed to in late 2001, allowed players to own their image and promote products. There had been several arguments similar to the Howlett case, he said.
The NZRFU should encourage such deals, as it supplemented the players incomes and spread the rugby message, Nicol said.
"This is a crucial aspect in helping to retain players and encourage them to return to New Zealand," said Nicol, who also attended the mediation talks.
Jones said the argument was not a distraction for Howlett, who did not get involved in such matters.
The NZRFU was out of step with world sport, Jones said, and needed to understand the difference between private and official-sponsor promotions.
Howlett would now consider taking formal legal action.
"He is doing this in a personal capacity. There is no intention of Doug appearing as an All Black or as any other New Zealand team player," said Jones.
Cottrell told the Herald yesterday that the NZRFU was determined to act in good faith towards its players, and was conscious of being a good employer.
He said the Howlett case exposed a difficult area in the collective, requiring judgment calls. It might require adjustments when the collective was renegotiated this year.
Howlett at centre of row over promotion of game
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