The entrance to the rugby in the professional world is not always without its pitfalls, far away … Proof of this is the last statement from Steve Tew, the CEO of the Federation of New Zealand rugby. Wednesday, the leader has put his foot in it by suggesting that his selection would be deprived of the next World Cup in 2015 in England. A heresy in the land of rugby!
Bluff or not, this threat reveals the uneasiness of the Federation kiwi affected financially by the organization of the current World Cup. Certainly, the event is almost historic land of the long white cloud. But the financial benefits expected from this great mass of world rugby is limited. In the end, New Zealand will lose even money (about 39 million New Zealand dollars, or 22.33 million euros).The New Zealand government will pay part of the losses, but the federation itself will also put their hands in the pocket to the tune of two thirds of the money lost.
Shortfall of 7.5 million euros
However, these losses are organizing a one-time difficulties. Because the real malaise lies elsewhere. Steve Tew, it's participation in the competition itself that is the problem. Every 4 years, federations qualified in the northern hemisphere and the south need to change their schedule (suppression test matches, shortening the Tri Nations tournament …). What cause a shortfall in terms of result and television advertising revenue and ticket sales. This year's Tri-Nations tournament, in which compete each year in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, for example, was reduced from nine to six games due to World Cup.In Europe, the fall tours were also canceled.
In a World trade rules of the International Rugby Board (IRB) also prohibit the presence of the sponsors of the national federations. This accentuates the downward pressure on commercial benefits. In the end, the Federation of New Zealand (NZRU) said the shortfall related to participation in a 13 million New Zealand dollars (7.5 million). Great on a budget of around 55 million euros. A price she can afford all four years, according to Steve Tew.
If they win the All-Blacks, the players would receive such a bonus of 55,000 euros, depending on the site sportune.fr. Barely more than the French players to touch the earth just move in New Zealand (45,000 euros).If they win the XV of France, the French would also reward of 180,000 euros extra.
Australia to support
In his threat to boycott, leaders of New Zealand have received support from their neighbor Australia. For its part, the Australian Federation (ARU) said the losses associated with participation in the World Cup to 16 million Australian dollars (about 11.5 million euros). All federations combined, the overall shortfall would reach between 35 and 40 million pounds (40 to 16 million euros). "As noted by Steve Tew, the current economic model is unacceptable and can not be encouraged," said the general manager of the ARU, John O'Neill.We ask the IRB to resolve the problem quickly, because as a national federation, the ARU can not afford to have huge losses every four years. "
For many, the threat of New Zealand is not serious, its national team can not really do without the visibility provided by the participation in the World Cup. But the argument did fly, the IRB had promised the opening of discussions after the World Cup to avoid a radical decision.
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