NZRU makes special payment to provincial unions

A record year on and off the field has underpinned the granting of a special, one-off payment to all of the country's Provincial Unions, the New Zealand Rugby Union announced today.

The payments amount to a total of approximately $8 million.

They will go towards the new provincial competitions over the next three years and continued support for the development of community rugby.

NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs said "We recognise both the challenges and opportunities ahead for Provincial Unions, and in line with their aspirations, we have decided to make this contribution in support of these vital areas of our game."

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF