Big two tell other provinces to develop players

New Zealand's two biggest provincial unions have called on others to develop their own players after grudgingly accepting details of the NPC salary cap announced yesterday.

Auckland chief executive David White and Canterbury counterpart Hamish Riach delivered their "hands-off" message after a $2 million salary cap was confirmed by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) for all 14 teams in next year's first season of the NPC premier division.

White believed the cap figure was too small while Riach said his union remained opposed to the concept of a cap.

Both said it would be a major challenge to work within the cap's limitations but they were committed to doing so.

One of their fears was that resources poured into development programmes would be diluted as players brought up in major unions were squeezed out to smaller provinces.

"Our own academy development programme has been very successful and it will play an even greater role now," White said.

"What we have to do is ensure that we retain the elite talent and be very smart about the way we do it.

"I'd like to think that other provincial unions will develop their own youth development programmes and will not be reliant on Auckland and Wellington and Canterbury etc."

Riach said other unions would need to improve their own programmes and also consider the best way to support players' careers away from rugby.

"The development of players must continue for the good of New Zealand rugby. Just how widely that goes or what extent that happens now will be an issue for all the provincial unions to consider," Riach said.

Auckland has already reduced its group of contracted players from 38 to 31.

White said Auckland would work more closely with surrounding partners North Harbour and Northland to ensure the Blues Super 14 franchise didn't suffer greatly from player movement.

White said Auckland had campaigned for the cap to be higher. He wouldn't reveal what figure he sought but said it was less than double the $2 million.

The cap is to be adjusted by the CPI (Consumer Price Index) each year after 2006 and built into it will be mechanisms to allow sides to retain elite players without breaking the cap.

Riach reiterated that the limitations of a salary cap meant there was now more danger of top players seeking greater riches offshore.

However, he agreed the range of other innovations announced as part of the three-year players collective agreement yesterday may stem any flood of departures.

The introduction of broadcasting and sponsorship revenue sharing; guaranteed retainers; and more freedom for promotion and commercial gains would be attractive to players, Riach believed.

"Larger share of players payment guaranteed has real appeal across the game," he said.

"When players have gone overseas, one of the things they have said is that payment there is guaranteed regardless of selection. Now when players miss selection for a national team (in New Zealand), there's not so much money at risk for them."

Riach said the 32.4 per cent revenue sharing of player-generated profits was a positive gesture from the NZRU.

"It demonstrates partnership more than just talking the talk. It's putting money on the line for that partnership.

"The deal is a good one for New Zealand rugby as a whole. There is no doubt there are parts of it that individuals or unions within the game would rather aren't there but it's been a pretty exhaustive process and we just have to get on with it now."

The cap still requires Commerce Commission approval. Neither White nor Riach felt qualified to comment on whether this may prove problematic.

- NZPA