Collective relief for players

New Zealand rugby's new blueprint for the professional age is due for release this week, as the terms of the new collective agreement are made public.

The Herald on Sunday understands the New Zealand Rugby Union will be making an announcement outlining the terms of the three-year agreement that covers all levels of the professional game here.

The consensus from players talked to under the condition of anonymity - both sides of the employer-employee divide signed a code of silence during the bargaining process - is that it is an excellent deal.

"From a players' point of view, we're real happy, real excited," said a Super 14 player. "We've battled away for a few years and got to a point where we've sat around a table and nutted out a win-win situation."

Agreement details have been finalised and Players' Association manager Rob Nichol has spent the past few weeks getting ratification from the NPC teams.

While no one will say exactly what is coming, it is safe to assume there will be a revenue-sharing agreement with the NZRU whereby the players will get close to 33 per cent of all revenue generated by the national body.

That means if the NZRU gathers $100 million in revenue for 2006 (it is expected to be higher), then $33m is set aside for a pool of around 175 players.

One conservative estimate puts the value of the deal at close to $150m over four years.

Other key planks of the document are:

* Guaranteed retainers for players, irrespective of selection.
* A minimum payment for NPC players (understood to be $15,000).
* More freedom to receive endorsements outside of rugby.
* One guaranteed day off per week during the season.

Another player spoken to said the document would assist in keeping players in New Zealand who would otherwise seek lucrative overseas contracts.

"It's security in the job. We were fighting year to year. Now guys are able to get out of there and train and do the job. They're safe in the knowledge they've got two, maybe three years of guaranteed income.

"In the past a number of guys I've been talking to have said this issue is the main reason they have gone overseas."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY