Blues captain addresses NZ Rugby governance vote, Melbourne Rebels axed from Super Rugby, Auckland FC announce signings
A result is in on New Zealand Rugby’s long-awaited governance vote and it appears the battle between players and the provincial unions will go on.
Proposal 2, the structure put forward by the country’s provincial unions, has prevailed after garnering the required two-thirds margin at the national’s body’s Special General Meeting in Wellington.
Crucially, the proposal includes a stipulation that at least three of New Zealand Rugby’s nine board directors must have experience serving on a provincial board.
Proposal 1 - backed by NZR itself and the players - wanted all nine directors to be entirely independent.
The vote for a new governance model comes off the back of last year’s Pilkington Review - which found the current structure is not fit for purpose.
News has also come today out of Australia that the a decision has been made not to grant a Participation Agreement to a consortium application for the Melbourne Rebels to compete in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. The decision means the 2024 season will be their last.
Auckland FC have announced four new signings ahead of their inaugural A-League Men season.
Catch up on all the action in the Herald’s live blog below.
Rebels ready for "one last ride"
Christopher Reive
The Melbourne Rebels have released a statement following Rugby Australia’s (RA) decision not to grant a Participation Agreement to a consortium application for the club to compete in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. The decision means the 2024 season will be their last.
"This is the news that the Rebels club and its supporters have been dreading since the club was placed into voluntary administration in January. It is important to note that all player and coach pathways programmes remain in place, and there has not yet been a decision made on the future of the Melbourne Rebels Super W team.
"While this is undoubtedly a sad day for the Melbourne Rebels, the clarity that this decision provides for our players and staff is welcome. The club will continue to work with RA and the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) regarding next steps for players and staff. Everyone at the Rebels remains committed to, and passionate about Rugby in Victoria – and we will never stop advocating for and supporting the sport at all levels in this state. We urge all fellow Rugby fans to do the same... We are proud of our players, coaches, and staff in delivering such a successful season in the most challenging of circumstances.
"From everyone at the Rebels, a most sincere thank you to the members, fans, sponsors and partners of our beloved club over the last 14 years. To see the smiling and encouraging faces behind the Rebels at AAMI Park in 2024 has truly lifted the team and made us feel honoured to represent such passionate fans all season. We genuinely could not have got through the year without our fans – and we cannot thank them enough for what they have done for us.
"Having said that, it’s not over yet. We have one last ride – our first-ever finals campaign – and we know that our treasured supporters will stick with us as we fight to the end to finish the season on a high."
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu responds to Proposal 2 being voted in
Cameron McMillan
“I’m a bit disappointed,” he said.
“But it’s for the future of rugby, whatever we decide, we have to do it together.
“From here on out, the conversation has to be open. Although Proposal 1 didn’t go through, we have to work together to try and get to where we want to.”
Cameron McMillan
Rugby Australia (RA) CEO Phil Waugh:
“It has been a testament to the players, coaches, team management and support staff that they have managed to deliver such a competitive season on the field in extremely difficult circumstances – and we are looking forward to seeing the team fighting in the finals for the first time ever."
"I want to thank the rugby community for its patience and ongoing support of the code. Rugby Australia's focus right now is on supporting the impacted staff and players at the Rebels.
“We have a plan that will ensure rugby has a strong future in Victoria – the infrastructure and the systems remain unchanged despite the change to the professional game in 2025, and we will continue to look for opportunities to increase that investment in the game in Victoria.
“As Australian Rugby evolves, we will consider the game’s professional footprint, and how it best serves the game and Super Rugby. We will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria on major events for the future, and we are looking forward to the Wallabies taking on Wales at AAMI Park this July.
“RA is evaluating possibilities for the tour game for the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour scheduled for Marvel Stadium on 22 July 2025 and is working with the Lions on the successful delivery of that event."
Super 11
Cameron McMillan
Not sure what this means for Super Rugby Pacific 2025 but the competition will be down to 11 teams. Surely there won't be an eight-team playoff structure.
No more Rebels
Cameron McMillan
Rugby Australia (RA) advises that the application from a consortium seeking a Participation Agreement for the Melbourne Rebels to participate in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition has been unsuccessful.
The consortium has made it clear that it is seeking a contribution from RA of several million dollars to cover forecast operating losses – this is in addition to the standard funding that would be available under a Participation Agreement.
The identity of the consortium members has not been disclosed to RA and as a result, the credentials of the consortium were unable to be fully assessed.
RA does not take this decision lightly, however it must act in the best interests of the game and its stakeholders, and to provide certainty for the Rebels’ players and staff, and all Super Rugby clubs in planning for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Rebels without a team?
Cameron McMillan
Rugby Australia has called a meeting with the Melbourne Rebels players at midday NZT, around the future of the franchise.
The team are set to fly to Fiji for their final round robin game against the Fijian Drua.
There is speculation that the franchise is about to be folded.
Provinces enforce constitutional control
Cameron McMillan
New Zealand Rugby’s provincial unions have convincingly voted through their polarising governance proposal to spark a civil war showdown with the game’s professional players, Liam Napier reports.
At a Special General Meeting in Wellington on Thursday, New Zealand’s 26 provincial unions voted – via secret ballot – on two proposals for boardroom reform after the Pilkington Review clearly stated rugby’s governance was not fit for purpose.
Eight months on from that damning report, following protracted negotiations, lobbying, threats and posturing, the provinces comfortably garnered enough support to meet the required two-thirds (67 per cent or 61 votes) majority of the 90 votes to usher through proposal two, which ensures three New Zealand Rugby board members must first serve on a provincial board.
Billed as the most significant decision since the game turned professional 28 years ago, the provinces enforced their constitutional control by a landslide result.
Cameron McMillan
This was the NZRPA last week:
“The adoption of Proposal 2 is a rejection of our wish that together we seek an NZRU board with a mandate to govern the game for the entire rugby community and, indeed, all New Zealanders.”
Dame Patsy Reddy to resign?
Cameron McMillan
New Zealand Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy is currently overseas and wasn't at the SGM.
The Herald understands she told the provincial unions that if they continue to push alternative proposals that seek to maintain at least three New Zealand Rugby board members with at least two years’ experience on a provincial board, she could not support it and would, therefore, resign from her post.
What happens now?
Cameron McMillan
As Gregor Paul reported, what this effectively means is that the NZRPA will no longer allow its players’ image rights to be used by NZR.
Instead, it will form a new entity it is provisionally calling the Professional Rugby Tribunal, directors of which will be appointed by the NZRPA, Super Rugby Pacific clubs, New Zealand Rugby Commercial, NZR and that tangata whenua will be inherently involved.
Civil war it is
Cameron McMillan
This is what Richie McCaw and the NZRPA warned against.
“The adoption of Proposal 2 will result in the NZRPA being forced to establish a new governance arrangement for professional rugby in New Zealand," a letter by the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA) said.
Proposal 2 passed
Cameron McMillan
90 votes
For 69
Against 21
Motion passed
Cameron McMillan
As we await the results, a reminder 61/90 votes needed to pass.
Cameron McMillan
Jason Pine reports: Secret ballot now under way for proposal 2.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
So they will now vote for Proposal Two. Needs to be 67 per cent in favour of or it remains status quo.
Flip those votes around at it's 66 per cent. So could be just a vote in it.
Proposal One votes
Cameron McMillan
Result (90 votes)
For 31
Against 59
Motion defeated
Auckland FC signings
Cameron McMillan
Great news. Auckland FC have some players. Four to be exact.
Cameron McMillan
Cameron McMillan
They vote yes/no to the review proposal. Even if it gains a two-thirds majority, they will still vote on Proposal 2.
Cameron McMillan
So they're counting votes at the moment around Proposal 1.
Cameron McMillan
Auckland FC's first signings
Cameron McMillan
Expecting the new A-League side to announce four players at 10am.
Cameron McMillan
A-League player to front court over betting scandal
Cameron McMillan
A-League player Kearyn Baccus is set to face court for the first time since being accused of participating in a bet-fixing scheme.
The Macarthur FC midfielder, 32, is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday after being charged with engaging in conduct that corrupts the betting outcome of an event.
Baccus will be the first of a trio of Bulls players accused of participating in the bet-fixing syndicate to face court.
What happens after the vote?
Cameron McMillan
If Proposal 2 is successful, the unions will have three months to implement Proposal 2 – write it into the constitution and appoint the new board.
The existing board will be asked to stand down if either proposal is adopted, but they will be encouraged to reapply through whichever process prevails.
If neither proposal passes, the provincial unions say they will roll the board and put all governance review work on hold.
The NZRPA says that a vote for Proposal 2 or a continuation of the status quo will see it use its collective employment agreement to set up a new entity to manage the professional game. They are in the midst of collective bargaining now so this could be done within weeks.
Special General Meeting plan
Cameron McMillan
There are 90 votes to be cast by secret ballot. Each union has two to seven votes, depending on the number of registered teams they have (aged 13+).
They will first vote yes/no to the review proposal. Even if it gains a two-thirds majority, they will still vote on Proposal 2.
If Proposal 2 gains a majority it will prevail, even if the review proposal also gained a majority.
If neither proposal wins a majority, they may repeat the vote to see if they can get a majority.
The vote is scheduled for 9.30am.
President Max Spence will run proceedings and results are expected to be made public at 10.30am.
Cameron McMillan
Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch set
Cameron McMillan
Early Christmas present for boxing fans.
The heavyweight rematch between undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will take place on December 21 in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh confirmed the date of the fight on X, formerly Twitter.
He says it will take place in Riyadh, the location of the first fight on May 19.
Alalshikh writes “the world will watch another historical [sic] fight again".
Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000 when he defeated Fury by split decision. The 37-year-old Ukrainian is the first heavyweight to hold every major title belt since Lennox Lewis. - AP
What will happen with Auckland stadium meeting?
Cameron McMillan
Sports Insider has peered inside the crystal ball and came up with his prediction:
Auckland Council will kick for touch and tell Eden Park and its favoured waterfront option to come back in six months with more detailed business plans ahead of a final decision.
Which CBD option? It’s still up in the air. The cost of building a stadium above a railway track is undermining the Quay Street proposal but it is tipped to still prevail in the face of a late run from the Wynyard Point backers.
Read the full Sports Insider here.
Take on the Hat-trick sports quiz
Cameron McMillan
Argentina court postpones trial in a criminal case involving the death of Maradona
Cameron McMillan
A criminal court in Argentina has postponed to Oct. 1 the start of a trial in a criminal negligence case brought against eight people allegedly involved in the death of soccer star Diego Maradona.
The 1986 World Cup winner died at age 60 on Nov. 25, 2020 due to a cardiorespiratory arrest. The criminal court in San Isidro, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, said in a decision published by local media overnight that “several questions have been raised” by all parts involved in the homicide case, adding that “at this date they are still to be resolved.”
The court did not elaborate. - AP
Cameron McMillan
French Open updates - Swiatek wins 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Cameron McMillan
The top seed advances in a thriller. That might be her toughest test of the tournament as she aims for a fourth straight title. Osaka was brilliant and had served for the match twice but couldn't close it out.
French Open updates - Swiatek breaks again, leads 6-5 in the third
Cameron McMillan
From 5-2 down to serving for the match. What a comeback by the number one seed and three-time defending champion.
All you need to know about the four Auckland stadium proposals
Cameron McMillan
Explained: All you need to know about NZ Rugby's civil war
Cameron McMillan
French Open updates - Swiatek holds serve, 5-5 in third
Cameron McMillan
This is too exciting for a second round slam match-up.
French Open updates - Swiatek breaks
Cameron McMillan
The number one seed is not out just yet. Swiatek breaks back and makes it 4-5 in the third set. And has serve to tie it up.
Sports Insider
Cameron McMillan
Whatever happens at its SGM showdown, New Zealand Rugby faces a future handicapped by a Silver Lake anchor; Kiwi rival takes Warriors boss Cameron George to task over “BS” self-interest; and what happens next in Auckland’s Stadium Wars.
French Open updates - Osaka serving for the match
Cameron McMillan
Osaka still leads 5-3 in the final set. She's serving for the match.
French Open updates - Osaka in control
Cameron McMillan
Osaka now up 5-2 over Swiatek. Upset is on.
Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped
Cameron McMillan
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship. Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, a local prosecutor, asked a judge today to drop the four charges against Scheffler.
Scheffler was not required to be in the courtroom. Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers. - AP
Cameron McMillan
- New Zealand Rugby's Special General Meeting - Proposal Two accepted
- Auckland Council voting on stadium plan
- Auckland FC's first signings revealed
French Open updates
Cameron McMillan
Huge round two match between number one seed Iga Świątek and former four-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka. It's gone into a third set and Osaka is 3-0 up.
Who are the sides in this civil war? And what do they want?
The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA), most of the NZR board (seven of the nine directors), Super Rugby Pacific clubs, New Zealand Rugby Commercial (NZRC), New Zealand Māori Rugby Board and some provincial unions (Taranaki and Manawatū and possibly more) are supporting what is called the review proposal.
What they want is a nine-person board of independent directors – and by independent they don’t mean people who don’t know rugby, they mean people not affiliated to one stakeholder – appointed by a truly independent panel.
They believe this will lead to better decision-making at all levels of the game and enable rugby to start fixing many of its problems around participation, fan engagement, elite pathways and financial management.
On the other side, there is a cohort of provincial unions led by Auckland, North Harbour, Wellington, Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, Northland and Bay of Plenty – who say they want the same thing, the exception that at least three of the nine directors must have some experience serving on a provincial board. This is what’s been referred to as Proposal 2.
Are the RPA and NZR on the same side? I thought they were at war over Silver Lake?
NZR and the NZRPA are both supporting the review proposal – and so, yes, they are on the same side. It was, however, the conflict which erupted over the way the initial Silver Lake was handled which led to the Pilkington Review being commissioned and NZR’s governance being put under scrutiny.
When the Silver Lake talks reached a stalemate over the initial deal in June 2021, the NZRPA said it would only be willing to negotiate a new agreement on the condition NZR agreed to an independent review of its governance.
Who are the people involved?
Rob Nichol is the CEO of the NZRPA and former All Blacks captain David Kirk is the chairman.
Dame Patsy Reddy, as chairwoman, has driven the process for NZR and been publicly supported by board members Rowena Davenport and Catherine Savage. Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who is now an NZRC board member, has publicly supported the review proposal while NZRC chairman Ian Narev has also told the unions he and his organisation support the review proposal.
Dame Farah Palmer has led discussion on behalf of the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board and Wellington chair Russell Poole has been the lead spokesman for the unions supporting Proposal 2.
Blues chairman Don McKinnon has co-ordinated the Super Rugby Pacific clubs’ response.
Will there be a players’ strike? Is there any chance that players won’t be willing to appear for the All Blacks?
The players have no intention of striking at this stage. They will meet all their playing and off-field commitments as per usual, and that includes playing in the NPC.
What happens on Thursday?
There are 90 votes to be cast by secret ballot. Each union has two to seven votes, depending on the number of registered teams they have (aged 13+).
They will first vote yes/no to the review proposal. Even if it gains a two-thirds majority, they will still vote on Proposal 2.
If Proposal 2 gains a majority it will prevail, even if the review proposal also gained a majority.
If neither proposal wins a majority, they may repeat the vote to see if they can get a majority.
The vote is scheduled for 9.30am. Reddy won’t be there as she will be in Japan on a long-arranged holiday.
President Max Spence will run proceedings and results are expected to be made public at 10.30am.
What happens after the vote?
If Proposal 2 is successful, the unions will have three months to implement Proposal 2 – write it into the constitution and appoint the new board.
The existing board will be asked to stand down if either proposal is adopted, but they will be encouraged to reapply through whichever process prevails.
If neither proposal passes, the provincial unions say they will roll the board and put all governance review work on hold.
The NZRPA says that a vote for Proposal 2 or a continuation of the status quo will see it use its collective employment agreement to set up a new entity to manage the professional game. They are in the midst of collective bargaining now so this could be done within weeks.