The New Zealand Rugby (NZR) national body has struck a new multi-year collective bargaining agreement with the country’s players association (RPA) labor union, laying out revenue-sharing terms for the 2026-28 period.
Effective from January 1, 2026, and running through December 31, 2028, NZR contracted athletes will receive 36.56% of all player-generated revenue across the period, a continuation from the previous collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
This period covers the men’s 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in nearby Australia (and for which New Zealand will, as ever, be one of the favorites), as well as various annual friendlies and international tests, the annual SANZAAR Rugby Championship, and the first two editions (2026 and 2028) of the new intercontinental Nations Championship format.
In addition, stakeholders in the deal – which includes NZR, the RPA, provincial unions, and sides from the Super Rugby competition – will consult on the terms of their investment into the New Zealand Rugby Commercial (NZRC) subsidiary.
Speaking on the new agreement, RPS chief executive Rob Nichol commented: “The partnership delivers significant investment in the personal development and education, retention and long-term support of our professional players. It will position us well in a constantly evolving and competitive landscape.
“For us to balance the realities of a global professional sport with the needs of our community game is our ongoing challenge, and opportunity. This partnership demonstrates a collective willingness to meet that challenge together, and in the best interests of rugby in New Zealand.”
Stemming the flow of domestic players into more lucrative international competitions such as Japan’s Rugby League One and France’s Top 14 is of particular importance to NZR.
NZR interim chief executive Steve Lancaster added: “It’s critical that we are aligned with the RPA and act together in the best interests of our game and its stakeholders, and this new partnership reflects that commitment.”
Lancaster took on that role after previous chief executive Mark Robinson stepped down at the end of 2025, and earlier in February, the body announced that it will retain his services as the search continues.
