March 3, 2026 • 9 mins
Earlier today, it was announced that Greg Peters would be stepping down as the CEO of New Zealand Rugby League after eight years in the role.
Greg joined D'Arcy to discuss what led to this decision, what he's proud to have achieved - and what's next.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Anyway, let's go now to Greg Paters is stepping down
with the world CEO of nz at r L. Eight
years in the job, I've got them with us now, Greg,
welcome on and so not lead you to make this decision.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Oh, thank thanks for having me. First of all, dus, Well,
it's good to chat to you. Look, it's it's eight
years now, and I think that's sort of tenure, that
these these roles have a natural life cycle. And you know,
it's been an amazing ride. I've loved every minute of it,
and but it's comes a time when all good things
(00:44):
must end, I suppose, and I think this is a
good juncture for that to happen.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
So nothing particularly triggered it.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
No, No, not at all.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
It's just, as I say, you sort of roll through
some pretty interesting times.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
To be honest, when I first started it was pretty tough.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
And then we had COVID and then we had you know,
World Cups and won a couple of pet Champs and
growth Game and I'm really really proud of what my
very small committed team he has been able to do
and also out in the field, just in total awe
of the passion and commitment that thousands of people.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Have every weekend to deliver our great game.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
So I just think, you know, eight years is a
good tenure as a CEO. You don't want to overstay,
you welcome and I think the life cycle for me
is closed achievements.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
When you look back at the eight years, does anything
stand out and you go, you know what I was
behind that with my crew that worked really well? What
are you smiling about right now?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Greg?
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Look, I don't It's not about me. It's about other
people and what they've been able to achieve.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
Really But if you look at the growth.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
In the game, we've you know, the game's doubled in
numbers in the last six seven years and forty five
thousand odd participants this year, you know, top end of
the game. We've run a couple of pet champs, and
we've got bloody close to a World Cup final in
twenty two and boys are and girls in good shape
(02:09):
for this year as well, I think.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
And then one of one of the probably proudest things
is getting ALTI.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
New Zealand Maori Rugby League a vote around our table
and also a permanent board seat at the ends at
rol board level, which is a.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Leadership position amongst other sports.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
I think for the fact that they appoint their own
person to our board and true acknowledgment and respect of
the massive part part that Mulray play in our game
in New Zealand. So that's one of the one of
the things. And I think the women's game too, the
qy Ferns. You know, we were playing very sporadically both
men's and women's actually in New Zealand a few years back,
(02:52):
and now we've got a regular program that's equivalent and
pay equity and those sorts of things. So yeah, the team,
as I said, it has been an amazing matter of
work for pretty small number and skis resources the.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Future of internationally get touched on. What's looking good for
the future or what do you want to happen ideally
for the international game globally.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Well, I think it's exciting.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I think the Australian or this year's version of the
World Cup will be the biggest and best.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
They'll do a good job at putting on the putting
on the show.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
And as I said before, we've got two teams that
I think are going to give it a red hot
nudge and hopefully bring back a couple of World Cups.
And we're also participating in the wheal Kiwi's the Wheelchair
World Cup as well this year. We probably won't bring
that home because it's our first four a into that
part of the game, but it's great to be competing
(03:44):
there as well. I'm really happy, you know, if you
think back to twenty nineteen when we tried the Oceania
Cup and that was a kind of lot precursor to
what we're now seeing with the Pacific Championships, and that
was pretty hard sell at the.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
Time, and we were doing it on our own. It
was a New Zealand run thing.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And now if you're up with the Pet Championss, with
our old marketing muscle behind that across the Pacific. I
might add and also obviously the matches that we run
as ends at r L and New Zealand, you're seeing
regular content in a regular window every year. For me,
I want to see, as I think I've said on
the show before, I want to see more of that.
(04:23):
We don't have enough weeks in a year. I'd like
to see, you know, six, seven weeks, eight weeks of
international football, which we can do and I think you're
getting to the stage now where that could be reality
in the next few years.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Who's in the way of that.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
N RL, to be quite honest, and it's not critical
of them, it's just that the the the whole the
whole season is is full up.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Look at look at it? We what are we here?
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Were the Warriors sell out in Napier a couple of
weekends back where the All Stars on Sunday nearly sold
out and we had the announcement about the state of
Orange and then we are Vegas and we're only in
just at the beginning of March.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
So it's quite a bit big season now.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
And to find that window is obviously when the money,
the money equation is driven out of clubs and broadcasting
deals and clubs pay the players and which we fully
respect that it gets harder for the international game. But
I think broadcasters and media partners and sponsors have now
seen the value in the international game and it's capturing
(05:30):
hearts and minds across the world.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Look at the series.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
In the UK last year and our own our own
game gets Tom and Eden Park are amazing.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Spectacles for spectacles for the sport.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
So it's not dead in the water. It's still a
work in progress. There's a chance that there will be
a decent standalone program internationally. You look at the explosion
and talent the Australians now that have gone over and
started playing for Tom and playing for somewhat. It's got
a huge space. And so you're not going to stop
with us, well you are the z are z Arel.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Aren't no way that you can't stop it.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
It's like a great freak train coming down the track now,
and with the players advocating for a big time, you know,
the big time into wanting to play for their country,
wanting to play for the culture in the international game,
and just bearing a minder. They don't do that for money.
The money is nothing nothing computer state of orangein either,
(06:28):
I might add. But they do it for the love
of the Jersey and the love of their culture. And
I don't you know, even if you did want to
stop it, you wouldn't be able to now because it's
just coming out down the train track at a fast
right of knots and we've got to embrace it and
get on that train and make it the best it
possibly can be.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Didn't.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
The Aussies will turn up nextly play in the AFIC
Championship next time around.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Oh for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I mean that he didn't play this year because they're
in the Northern Hemisphere. The next iteration is of the
Peck Champs is twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
We haven't sat down with them and.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Talked about what it looks like yet, but they'll be
back in that And as I say, the players want
to play in it, and and and you know the
Tommins and Toma and Samara are powers and forces to
be reckoned with now.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
So isn't that great? You've got more more teams that
can win win the World Cup as well?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
How can we not having it this here?
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Greg? World cut simply the number of weeks in the
year again.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
So we've got we've got World Cup starting the week
after the final or couple of weekends after the final
of the NRL and then that runs through to.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
About fifteenth to November. And that's that's that window gone again.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Are you looking forward to spending time with New Zealand
Rugby now you're their new CEO?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
You wouldn't be the first person that's put that to me,
but the answer is no.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
So what's next?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
What are you doing now? Greg? A cup of team
to lie down. You're still a young man, what else
is on your radar?
Speaker 3 (08:06):
I think, thank you, thank you very kind. Other people
might not see me as that young, but thank you. Look,
I want to take you know, I've got some quick
a couple of conversations going on, but that's not for today,
and you know, and take some time to look at
the next move.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
And I certainly want to keep going. I love the sector.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
If I've been in sport now for near on thirty
years by accident, I might add, and I want to
keep going. I think I'd like to contribute more to
the sector and give back.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
And on that, Greg Peters, from my point of view,
thinks so much through your time being in rugby union
and in rugby league for being so goddamn accessible and
willing to talk, hugely appreciate that. Don't ever stop, my friend.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Oh thank you, and it's been a pleasure talking to
you too, dus and always always willing to have a
jet For.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
More from Sports Talk, listen live to news Talks. It'd
be from seven pm weekdays well follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Anyway, let's go now to Greg Paters is stepping down
with the world CEO of nz at r L. Eight
years in the job, I've got them with us now, Greg,
welcome on and so not lead you to make this decision.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Oh, thank thanks for having me. First of all, dus, Well,
it's good to chat to you. Look, it's it's eight
years now, and I think that's sort of tenure, that
these these roles have a natural life cycle. And you know,
it's been an amazing ride. I've loved every minute of it,
and but it's comes a time when all good things
(00:44):
must end, I suppose, and I think this is a
good juncture for that to happen.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
So nothing particularly triggered it.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
No, No, not at all.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
It's just, as I say, you sort of roll through
some pretty interesting times.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
To be honest, when I first started it was pretty tough.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
And then we had COVID and then we had you know,
World Cups and won a couple of pet Champs and
growth Game and I'm really really proud of what my
very small committed team he has been able to do
and also out in the field, just in total awe
of the passion and commitment that thousands of people.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Have every weekend to deliver our great game.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
So I just think, you know, eight years is a
good tenure as a CEO. You don't want to overstay,
you welcome and I think the life cycle for me
is closed achievements.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
When you look back at the eight years, does anything
stand out and you go, you know what I was
behind that with my crew that worked really well? What
are you smiling about right now?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Greg?
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Look, I don't It's not about me. It's about other
people and what they've been able to achieve.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
Really But if you look at the growth.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
In the game, we've you know, the game's doubled in
numbers in the last six seven years and forty five
thousand odd participants this year, you know, top end of
the game. We've run a couple of pet champs, and
we've got bloody close to a World Cup final in
twenty two and boys are and girls in good shape
(02:09):
for this year as well, I think.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
And then one of one of the probably proudest things
is getting ALTI.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
New Zealand Maori Rugby League a vote around our table
and also a permanent board seat at the ends at
rol board level, which is a.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Leadership position amongst other sports.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
I think for the fact that they appoint their own
person to our board and true acknowledgment and respect of
the massive part part that Mulray play in our game
in New Zealand. So that's one of the one of
the things. And I think the women's game too, the
qy Ferns. You know, we were playing very sporadically both
men's and women's actually in New Zealand a few years back,
(02:52):
and now we've got a regular program that's equivalent and
pay equity and those sorts of things. So yeah, the team,
as I said, it has been an amazing matter of
work for pretty small number and skis resources the.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Future of internationally get touched on. What's looking good for
the future or what do you want to happen ideally
for the international game globally.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Well, I think it's exciting.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I think the Australian or this year's version of the
World Cup will be the biggest and best.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
They'll do a good job at putting on the putting
on the show.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
And as I said before, we've got two teams that
I think are going to give it a red hot
nudge and hopefully bring back a couple of World Cups.
And we're also participating in the wheal Kiwi's the Wheelchair
World Cup as well this year. We probably won't bring
that home because it's our first four a into that
part of the game, but it's great to be competing
(03:44):
there as well. I'm really happy, you know, if you
think back to twenty nineteen when we tried the Oceania
Cup and that was a kind of lot precursor to
what we're now seeing with the Pacific Championships, and that
was pretty hard sell at the.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
Time, and we were doing it on our own. It
was a New Zealand run thing.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
And now if you're up with the Pet Championss, with
our old marketing muscle behind that across the Pacific. I
might add and also obviously the matches that we run
as ends at r L and New Zealand, you're seeing
regular content in a regular window every year. For me,
I want to see, as I think I've said on
the show before, I want to see more of that.
(04:23):
We don't have enough weeks in a year. I'd like
to see, you know, six, seven weeks, eight weeks of
international football, which we can do and I think you're
getting to the stage now where that could be reality
in the next few years.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Who's in the way of that.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
N RL, to be quite honest, and it's not critical
of them, it's just that the the the whole the
whole season is is full up.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Look at look at it? We what are we here?
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Were the Warriors sell out in Napier a couple of
weekends back where the All Stars on Sunday nearly sold
out and we had the announcement about the state of
Orange and then we are Vegas and we're only in
just at the beginning of March.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
So it's quite a bit big season now.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
And to find that window is obviously when the money,
the money equation is driven out of clubs and broadcasting
deals and clubs pay the players and which we fully
respect that it gets harder for the international game. But
I think broadcasters and media partners and sponsors have now
seen the value in the international game and it's capturing
(05:30):
hearts and minds across the world.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Look at the series.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
In the UK last year and our own our own
game gets Tom and Eden Park are amazing.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Spectacles for spectacles for the sport.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
So it's not dead in the water. It's still a
work in progress. There's a chance that there will be
a decent standalone program internationally. You look at the explosion
and talent the Australians now that have gone over and
started playing for Tom and playing for somewhat. It's got
a huge space. And so you're not going to stop
with us, well you are the z are z Arel.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Aren't no way that you can't stop it.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
It's like a great freak train coming down the track now,
and with the players advocating for a big time, you know,
the big time into wanting to play for their country,
wanting to play for the culture in the international game,
and just bearing a minder. They don't do that for money.
The money is nothing nothing computer state of orangein either,
(06:28):
I might add. But they do it for the love
of the Jersey and the love of their culture. And
I don't you know, even if you did want to
stop it, you wouldn't be able to now because it's
just coming out down the train track at a fast
right of knots and we've got to embrace it and
get on that train and make it the best it
possibly can be.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Didn't.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
The Aussies will turn up nextly play in the AFIC
Championship next time around.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Oh for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I mean that he didn't play this year because they're
in the Northern Hemisphere. The next iteration is of the
Peck Champs is twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
We haven't sat down with them and.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Talked about what it looks like yet, but they'll be
back in that And as I say, the players want
to play in it, and and and you know the
Tommins and Toma and Samara are powers and forces to
be reckoned with now.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
So isn't that great? You've got more more teams that
can win win the World Cup as well?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
How can we not having it this here?
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Greg? World cut simply the number of weeks in the
year again.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
So we've got we've got World Cup starting the week
after the final or couple of weekends after the final
of the NRL and then that runs through to.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
About fifteenth to November. And that's that's that window gone again.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Are you looking forward to spending time with New Zealand
Rugby now you're their new CEO?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
You wouldn't be the first person that's put that to me,
but the answer is no.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
So what's next?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
What are you doing now? Greg? A cup of team
to lie down. You're still a young man, what else
is on your radar?
Speaker 3 (08:06):
I think, thank you, thank you very kind. Other people
might not see me as that young, but thank you. Look,
I want to take you know, I've got some quick
a couple of conversations going on, but that's not for today,
and you know, and take some time to look at
the next move.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
And I certainly want to keep going. I love the sector.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
If I've been in sport now for near on thirty
years by accident, I might add, and I want to
keep going. I think I'd like to contribute more to
the sector and give back.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
And on that, Greg Peters, from my point of view,
thinks so much through your time being in rugby union
and in rugby league for being so goddamn accessible and
willing to talk, hugely appreciate that. Don't ever stop, my friend.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Oh thank you, and it's been a pleasure talking to
you too, dus and always always willing to have a
jet For.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
More from Sports Talk, listen live to news Talks. It'd
be from seven pm weekdays well follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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