NZRFU pay deal a victory for players

A group of senior All Blacks forced the New Zealand Rugby Union into significant financial concessions as they moved into the second decade of professionalism.

The results were unveiled yesterday in the new collective agreement, with players guaranteed retainers, match fees and a share of NZRFU revenue. A $2m salary cap was also agreed to for next year's expanded NPC.

Rugby Union and players' association officials yesterday enthused publicly about the deal - a victory for the players and their association boss, Rob Nichol.

Players had argued that they were responsible for a huge chunk of the NZRFU's income and should be treated as partners, not employees.

All players felt they were too financially vulnerable to the selectors' whims, the All Blacks said

In August, the senior All Blacks demanded progress in the discussions between the parties.

On behalf of the players' association, they argued that players were being ignored, and detailed the realities of some players' fragile financial existence. Departed halfback Mark Robinson was used as an example.

Changes had to be made, the All Blacks argued. They wanted worthwhile retainers for every professional grade, from the sevens to the All Blacks, as well as match fees.

The breakthrough came in the middle of the Tri-Nations series in August when the sides met in Wellington. The All Blacks were adamant: alter the pay structure or risk more exports.

Professional players will see 32.4 per cent of all player-generated income go into a pool for redistribution as wages and incentives. Players will be paid retainers for the length of their contracts.

"It's fair to say that players were rightfully concerned about their lack of financial security but we have addressed that," NZRFU deputy Steve Tew said yesterday.

Nichol said selection-based income had always been a problem for players, so "we sought the introduction of guaranteed retainers and thanks to the NZRU's ability to take on board new initiatives, this has been achieved".

The new deal includes a minimum retainer of $15,000 for each of the 364 players who will be contracted to the expanded NPC, to be called the Air New Zealand Cup.

The deal covers the players for three years from January.

Pay for play

* Super 14 base retainer $65,000
Players' weekly assembly rates:
* All Blacks $7500
* Junior All Blacks $3500
* New Zealand Maori $2000
* All Blacks trial $2000
*All Blacks will get $35,000 each if they reach the 2007 World Cup final, plus another $65,000 if they win the tournament.