Deal raises ceiling on NPC salary cap

Guaranteed retainers for all players and an increased salary cap from next year's NPC have been agreed after a series of marathon meetings between the New Zealand Rugby Union, players, agents and officials.

The Herald understands a draft of the collective agreement, including a season salary cap in excess of $2 million, will be completed by the end of the month and circulated to the various parties for final approval.

"Negotiations are ongoing, progressing well, it is very positive," Rugby Union Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol said yesterday. "Everyone has agreed not to say anything more."

Details were worked out in Wellington late last week in lockdown discussions which lasted several days.

Contract payments, player movements, player retention, the salary cap, intellectual property and match schedules were critical components of the deal, which has involved a great deal of time and revision since talks started this year.

RUPA has argued for a change in contracts for some time, contending that players needed more certainty of payment, conditions and employment than their NZRU employers were delivering.

With the expansion of the Super 14 and Tri-Nations next season and the NZRU decision to start an NPC 14, the players appeared to have more fertile ground for their arguments.

The outcome of last week's meeting was described as a "landmark decision" after a very complex set of discussions and as a "breakthrough for the rugby future of the nation".

The NZRU has long wanted to put a brake on the player exodus from New Zealand, to keep senior players to teach those starting their careers and to increase the strengths of the various competitions.

Meanwhile major franchises were unimpressed at the level of a salary cap, arguing they were penalised because of their success and that the NZRU should pick up more of the pay of their senior representatives.

NZRU deputy Steve Tew said work on the collective was still ongoing but it had been very positive.

"We are very happy with the way negotiations are going."