The New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association have settled their dispute over the All Blacks Rugby World Cup bonuses.
The NZRU will pay the players an $80,000 bonus each if they go through the Rugby World Cup undefeated and win the tournament, the NZRU and the NZRPA said in a joint statement today. The bonus payment is structured in the following manner:
Pool match win: $ 2,000
Quarter-final win: $13,000
Semi-final win: $15,000
Final win: $50,000
The NZRU has also agreed to indemnify the All Blacks against any fines imposed on the players by Rugby World Cup Ltd during the tournament. Additionally, the NZRU will work with the NZRPA to create a commercial programme that will capitalise on the benefits if they were to win the Rugby World Cup.
NZRU Chief Executive Officer Chris Moller said the outcome was a compromise that was a direct result of the mediation process. Most importantly, the agreement ensures that the best possible All Blacks team can participate at the Rugby World Cup.
‘Both parties have met in the middle in terms of the bonus payment,’ Mr Moller said.
‘The NZRU intends to bridge the gap between its original offer and the agreed offer through an enhanced commercial programme leveraging the immediate benefits should we win the Rugby World Cup.
‘The extra potential cost of the bonus will not reduce the NZRU’s current investment in provincial and community rugby. The NZRU will continue its planned programme of activity in 2003, which includes its commitment to provincial and community rugby because that is where the base of the game is and where the future talent of the game is developed. At the same time we will work very hard to ensure that there is no impact on the NZRU’s reserves.
‘While remuneration negotiations are always difficult processes in any industry or profession, the NZRU is pleased that both parties were able to resolve this issue once we went to mediation.’
NZRPA Executive Director Rob Nichol said today that all the All Blacks were seeking throughout the dispute was to be treated fairly.
‘The agreement we have reached is a fair compromise which will allow the players to now get on with the job of playing rugby and seeking to perform to the best of their abilities in the Rugby World Cup,’ Mr Nichol said.
‘The NZRPA and the NZRU will work together now to develop an enhanced commercial programme to produce the extra revenue needed to pay the bonuses should the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup.’
Both parties paid tribute to the Department of Labour’s Mediation Service.
For more details contact:
Matt McIlraith
All Blacks Communications Officer
DDI: +64-4-494 0787
Mobile: +64-274-723 635
Fax: +64-4-499 4224
Email: matt.mcilraith@nzrugby.co.nz