September 6, 2024 • 17 mins
Rugby tours may soon be back on the table for the All Blacks and South Africa.
While it hasn't yet been officially announced, an eight-match away tour has been all but confirmed for 2026.
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to dig into a few of the murky details surrounding the potential tour.
“It feels like it’s definitely the right thing for the fans, and I know that the players are super excited as well.”
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And looking forward to those calls. After I finished with
this call, CEO of Inns at Arms, Mark Robinson joins
now from South Africa. Great place to be. You had
to like the balls of the job, don't you. Mark.
I'm presuming you're looking forward to as an understatement, another
rip snorter of a Test match in Cape Down. Hey,
thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, Hi Darcy and afternoons all the listeners.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
Yeah, it's good to be back in the Republic.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Obviously a couple of years ago since the All Blacks
have been here, and it's been a long time since
we've been to Cape Town, but you certainly noticed the difference,
not only coming out of the attitude back to sea level,
which is good for the lungs, certainly the passion for
the sport here and that's sort of underlying All Black support,
it feels like is still really strong. So a lot
(01:00):
of people to welcome the team into Cape Town and
just a lot of people around the hotel and trainings
and things like that.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
So yeah, there's a nice buzz building.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
I think it's been sold out for some time. Really befitting.
I've been described and going around a little bit now.
Darcy is sort of the greatest rivalry around rugby, and
it feels like every time these two teams meet, these
just so much hype and excitement amount.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
So it's great to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Got the big news this week, mark is the fact
that the tours should be returning. I'm talking the spring
Box over here, the All Blacks back over there. This
is a return to the wonderment of the Tours. I
know there's a lot of very happy pundas out there
on both sides of the Indian Ocean. So how confident
are you that these tours will actually return?
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Look, there's a little bit of more work to do,
you know, I can understand why there's probably been a
few comics released in this.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
Part of the world.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
It certainly certainly aligns with the amount of hype going
on here at the moment.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
But nevertheless, he's still a few details to be worked.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Through, and the trenders positive in terms of the direction
of getting something finalized, hopefully in the near future.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
But you know, a little more work to do.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
But every time we seem to be engaged with the
South Africans about different ideas of working together. You know,
it's a really really positive constructive relationship at the moment
that's certainly being built on in the last keen days
so here. So it's been really good. But yeah, it
does provide a bit of a you know, for those
of you, I know you're a bit of a romantic
and becomes traditions of the sport, and this feels like
(02:34):
it's although it's going you know, back in time a
little bit. The traditions are so rich and the fans
are so engaged in and it feels like it's definitely
the right things for the fans. And I know that
the players are super excited as well to be able
to test themselves in an environment like Africa for you know,
a six or seven week period is something that will
certainly be a career highlighted them too.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
So where did this concept start? How long has it
been going for these discussions? Was it initiated by yourselves?
By by South African Rugby?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
We look, we've been talking with him about it for
a good couple years now at least, And I guess
it was born out of the.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Fact that.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
You know, with a change in super we don't have
as much connection to each other. So it started about
how can we work together more given all the challenges
around cost of travel now on distances, player welfare and
all that sort of thing. And so, you know, we
just kept building on those conversations from a couple of
years back, and there are lots of different ideas about
(03:34):
club and country and all sorts of different things, and
this has been the idea that's really resonated the most
of both countries, I think. So I don't think it's
a case of any you know, one person or one
one of the nations taking credit for it, doce. It's
just been an outcome of a really good process of
a couple of unions that certainly respect each other and
want to be able to work together a lot.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
You said roadblocks, Mark, So what exactly is in the
way of these tours going ahead?
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Oh, look, I don't think. I wouldn't call them roadblocks.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
I just think in any development of a major idea
like this, which is a you know, a departure from
how things have been done in the past, it's just
a lot of things, some some expected and sometimes some
unexpected to work through, and some some a more major
than others, you know, so we're really down to at
present times just looking at the final final schedules and
(04:25):
finals sort of commercials, and you know they ever say
they are getting work through all the time, and we're
coming closer and closer and closer together on those things
and more we sort of talk, so.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
You know, it's just it's a bit more work to do.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Really, I wouldn't I wouldn't say big roadblocks or big obstacles.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
It's just a case of just taking a time to
make sure get the right It's an important concept and
it's one we want to make sure we make all
the right decisions for and putting it together.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
So it is looking like it's going to happen. Mark
is a bit of work to do, but it is
signed and sealed, just just a matter now of getting delivered.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
We're really encouraged, Arthur, I know you.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
I know, hard to get a sort of definitive statement
out of me here, but it's it's just a bit
too early to confirm it. I think we just need
a little bit more time. But it's it's facking really positive,
as I've said a couple of times already, and there's
good sentiment between the unions and we're clear on what
has to be sort of worked through, so hopefully we've
got more to say before the next couple of months.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Really, so does this have much of an effect on
the global calendar? Is this going to get in the
face of anything that's already pre pained? Did the world
rugby have to be involved in this?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, it works sort of the existing calendar, so there's
no change to the calendar as such.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
You know it'll be played in the Rugby Championship window.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
We're working really hard with Australia and Argentina is to
what in twenty six and thirty, you know, their fixtures
will look like, and then twenty seven, twenty eight and
twenty nine as it relates to the next cycle. There's
some really great work as to how all four unions
will be be working together in six and thirty. You know,
(06:08):
it's it really deserves to wait to sort of more
new news comes out of scenes are on us, but
they're thinking really creatively about what other countries might be
able to be involved, how we can still have some
connection to Australia and Argentina in those years.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
So there's certainly.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
A really positive intent from new Zealand and so there
I going to make sure that that those teams are
getting great fixtures still and then these other opportunities possibly
for other unions, and thinking about that that eight week
window and the Raping Championship.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
That can be utilized as well.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
So yep, you're right, I mean all the you know,
there's a lot to work through there, but I wouldn't
describe it as a change or an extension of the
global calendar. The global calendar, the regulation nine windows will
stay exactly as they are now and now you know,
our test match schedule will sit the same as it
it essentially does now, sort of between thirteen and fourteen
(06:57):
in any given year, depending on what's going on and
what stage of a World Cup cycle we're at.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
So what about Australia and what about Argentina? If this
actually happens the South Africa New Zealand tours, is there
a chance that maybe there'll be a similar situation with
both Argentina and Australia.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah, it's been talked about in one of the years,
So you know, can we utilize one of the years
to do more traditional you know, you could have two
sort of three week tours potentially but again that's more
to sort of stands out to, you know, announce and
share more information on that when.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
The time's right.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
But they're doing a huge amount of work with their
competition and tournament teams on different models and and that
sort of idea is certainly figuring for at least one
of the years maybe.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
And it appears Mark Robinson's CEO of n Z are
that the governance situation that's been fraught over recent times,
it looks like it's going to be sorted out and
the various parties are coming together to try and find
some common ground to push forward. I believe as early
as December there'll be some solutions presented.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Yeah, you're exactly right.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
There's probably not much for me to build on that, Darcy.
I think the stakeholder groups have come together in the
last a few weeks. It sounds like they've made good progress.
It seems to be a clear way forward now as
to what next steps are for working through a process
to appoint the board by time before Christmas.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
So that's now.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
That's what I've been updated on while I've been over here,
and largely it seems to be a good coming together
the game and it seems that most you, most views
of the stakeholders have been heard in that forum and
they're looking forward to get on with things now.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
So now depinarly involved, Are you personally, Mark Robinson as
CEO of NS are you're getting your hands dirty? Are
you in that space to a degree?
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Well, I'm not involved in all.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I haven't been involved in the government's advisory plannel work.
But we do provide a lot of support for our
mainly through our legal team Darcy, the people that are
close the constitution and all the different machinations of what
you know sits in the Constitution as.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
It relates to the board.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
So we provide a lot of support there into the
stakeholder groups, and we provide a lot of support primarily
again through our legal team into Patchy and the Board
informing them of what's going on.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
But no, I'm not involved.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
To repeat all, we'll talk a bit of coach Jorli
Marco promise. But before that, there's a rather large meeting
set to go ahead. It's a huge meeting. It's around
the finances of the game and we know that globally
it's fraught. All the CEOs and the major shareholders involved
in this are coming together to try and knock together
(09:47):
a solution.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Yeah, I think when you know, we're being pretty open
certainly when we share our own results and the challenges
we have of making our overall model work, that we're certainly.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Not on our own there.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
And in fact, when we compare ourselves to a lot
or most national unions around the world, I think we're doing,
you know, relatively well in that space. But notwithstanding that,
you know, we none of us can play the game
on our own. We need we need each other as
national unions to be strong, and we need, you know,
to find ways to be able to create and drive
(10:21):
greater efficiency so the cost base of the game. Be
thinking more about that, and we need to be thinking
about how we can work together create greater.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Revenues as well. So, yeah, they are important meetings.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
We're not there for very long, it's fair to say,
and coming from all the way, I'm going from from
Sydney myself back up to Dublin for a couple of
days essentially, and we certainly hope we get some really
you know, great engagement and some really meaningful sort of
outcomes from from the meetings. And it's fair to say
most major things are on the table, the role of
(10:53):
world rugby in this and some of the competitions that
are are challenged in terms of getting up and going
at the moment, some of the no secret things like
the sevens WXE, the women's game in general in terms
of making you know, a model that can work for
both of those formats, you know, And there's a whole
(11:14):
lot of commonalities across all the national unions that we're
going to sit down and hopefully spend some good time on.
And then and like I said before, some ideas around revenue.
As I guess with most unions now taking on partners
to help drive revenues and focusing on their own.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Models, there is also a number of ways we can probably.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Be working better across all of the national unions in
this world able to drive revenues a bit more.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
So, what about the shadow of Saudi Arabia playing me
very keen to get involved in sport right across the
globe and number of different sports they've got a big
war chest behind them. Is that a possibility. Has that
advanced any further forward?
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Well?
Speaker 3 (11:52):
No, I mean you've asked me a couple of times
on Nastasi and recent times about the connection with Saudi
Arabian we don't.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Have any.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And heaven and in the past, and I'm not aware
of any disc that's not an a gender item during
these meetings in a couple of weeks time.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Yeah, But to be honest, this is always floating around
this concept of sounding money. It still seems to be
in the effort, So I suppose I have to ask
questions like that. Mark, I'm sorry that you're bored of
my narrative.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Mate.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Yeah, it's a fair question, Darcy. I mean, but that's
just the reality. I think there's always speculation around the game,
and we've become accustomed to dealing with things that frankly
aren't true or only we're near the truth, to be honest, sometimes,
and that's just the way we have to work through
an operator in sport, whether it's a high degree of
scrutiny and a high degree of interest and passion for
(12:45):
the sport, and that's that. I always say that that's
fantastic at one level because it shows that people care
and they want to understand the directions of sports. So
we understand that. But at the same time we have
to be clear and things affectually incorrect as well.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Thanks for clearing that up, Mark, But the summit itself,
it's only sure, well's that's the goal? What is the
endgame here? What do you guys need to have packaged
art before you get out of Dublin.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Well, I think the backdrop to this, obviously, Darcy, is
the election for Chair of World Rugby and the election
of a new board.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
In mid November.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
So I think, you know, my sense is World Rugby
are looking to advance some of this work and try
to create some momentum so that when the new board
come together and the executive are working with them, we
have a bit of a pathway to work on these
major major topics we're going to be talking about. So
coming out of that, we've got some really clear actions
that actually can and see some change come about in
(13:46):
some of.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
These areas that we're all concerned about. So certainly, you.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Know, sitting here right now, I don't have all the
answers as to what's going to come out of it.
You've got to appreciate that, you know, there are twelve
unions going in all with different lenses and different views
on something somewhere aligned and some you know, there's not
strong alignment. So it's just a case of understanding each
other's you and working through that and getting the best
sort of level of align we can on on important
(14:10):
topics and then I guess developing a plan for each
of those and working forward from there.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Of course, the reason why all of these meetings is
the love of the game of rugby. Going to South
Africa from an all Blacks perspective is right at the pinnacle.
It's been tough going for Rasor Robertson so far, but
if you look at his tenure at the moment and
what he's achieved, are you raising this highly happy with
what Scott Robertson's achieved so far?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Oh, look, we're really happy with you know, the work
that's going in Darcy.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
You know, as you say, a.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
New group, number of new playing group and new management group,
some you know, some great glimpses at times of what's.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Going to be possible for this new group. Clearly some
things to work on.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
So no, we're we're we're really pleased with with where
they're working to and certainly know to your question about effort,
there's no there's no doubt there's a huge amount of
effort and massive amount of work going and it's been
nice to be you know, in and around camp in
the last eight or nine days to see that firsthand
and see, you know, some of the efforts going in
the detail that goes into preparing for these games certainly
(15:18):
a bit different to my day dafter that twenty five
years ago. There is a lot more involved.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
In it now.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
And you know, we've got really good quality people, all
working really hard together, so we've got to keep on
supporting them, back in them and looking forward to the weekend.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
I think the most intriguing thing here about this game
in Cape Town is the changes that have been made
right across the board for the all Blacks, more predominantly
for the South African side. We don't really know what
either of them are thinking, especially Rassi Erasmus. This just
continues what as I suppose a wonderful cat and Mouse game.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
Mark, Yeah, I mean, I guess it's a storyline coming out.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
It seems to be dasty. I think. I think Razor and.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Rassi are just doing, you know, what's right for their team.
It's it's great that the fans and the media can
pick up on it and call, you know, storylines like
Cat and Mouse. But I genuinely believe are looking at
their their squads are looking at winning, you know, in
the in the near term, they're looking at developing for
the future. They've all got plans around what the next
(16:19):
you know, one, two, three, four years looks like, and
you know, they put a lot of thought and effort
into that, and I think that's what we're seeing around
selections is a reflection of both both camps, you know,
working working to their own plans.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Really, but yeah, it does.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
I mean in fixtures like this, there's just so much
in fregue, you know, and so much scrutiny. There's lots
of call different storylines and you know, certainly the South
African media here is is really really engaged and passionate,
and so you know it's not surprising we're seeing lots
of different storylines, which is great.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
All right, Matt Robinson, give us a punt. How much
of the old that's going to win by I'll.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
Take it by any Darcy.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
It's just going to be you know, it's going to
be a fantastic game and atmosphere, and you know, I
know that the team put in a huge amount of
your fit looking forward to supporting them on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
I'm pretty sure we'll have a lot more support than
we had. Ellis park Is rather.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
To be a little bit more black in the crowd.
Speaker 4 (17:14):
Hope you being a little bit more noise.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
For us as well, and I'm hopefully all that can
contribute to getting us time.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yeah, well hopefully it can. Looking forward to it. There's
an understate for your Mark Robinson, CEO of NZ. As always,
thank you very much for your time here on News
Talk SEDB.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
You go well, Thanks Darcy goat chet for more from
Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live to News Talk
sed B weekends from midday or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And looking forward to those calls. After I finished with
this call, CEO of Inns at Arms, Mark Robinson joins
now from South Africa. Great place to be. You had
to like the balls of the job, don't you. Mark.
I'm presuming you're looking forward to as an understatement, another
rip snorter of a Test match in Cape Down. Hey,
thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Yeah, Hi Darcy and afternoons all the listeners.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
Yeah, it's good to be back in the Republic.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Obviously a couple of years ago since the All Blacks
have been here, and it's been a long time since
we've been to Cape Town, but you certainly noticed the difference,
not only coming out of the attitude back to sea level,
which is good for the lungs, certainly the passion for
the sport here and that's sort of underlying All Black support,
it feels like is still really strong. So a lot
(01:00):
of people to welcome the team into Cape Town and
just a lot of people around the hotel and trainings
and things like that.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
So yeah, there's a nice buzz building.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
I think it's been sold out for some time. Really befitting.
I've been described and going around a little bit now.
Darcy is sort of the greatest rivalry around rugby, and
it feels like every time these two teams meet, these
just so much hype and excitement amount.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
So it's great to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Got the big news this week, mark is the fact
that the tours should be returning. I'm talking the spring
Box over here, the All Blacks back over there. This
is a return to the wonderment of the Tours. I
know there's a lot of very happy pundas out there
on both sides of the Indian Ocean. So how confident
are you that these tours will actually return?
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Look, there's a little bit of more work to do,
you know, I can understand why there's probably been a
few comics released in this.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
Part of the world.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
It certainly certainly aligns with the amount of hype going
on here at the moment.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
But nevertheless, he's still a few details to be worked.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Through, and the trenders positive in terms of the direction
of getting something finalized, hopefully in the near future.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
But you know, a little more work to do.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
But every time we seem to be engaged with the
South Africans about different ideas of working together. You know,
it's a really really positive constructive relationship at the moment
that's certainly being built on in the last keen days
so here. So it's been really good. But yeah, it
does provide a bit of a you know, for those
of you, I know you're a bit of a romantic
and becomes traditions of the sport, and this feels like
(02:34):
it's although it's going you know, back in time a
little bit. The traditions are so rich and the fans
are so engaged in and it feels like it's definitely
the right things for the fans. And I know that
the players are super excited as well to be able
to test themselves in an environment like Africa for you know,
a six or seven week period is something that will
certainly be a career highlighted them too.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
So where did this concept start? How long has it
been going for these discussions? Was it initiated by yourselves?
By by South African Rugby?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
We look, we've been talking with him about it for
a good couple years now at least, And I guess
it was born out of the.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Fact that.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
You know, with a change in super we don't have
as much connection to each other. So it started about
how can we work together more given all the challenges
around cost of travel now on distances, player welfare and
all that sort of thing. And so, you know, we
just kept building on those conversations from a couple of
years back, and there are lots of different ideas about
(03:34):
club and country and all sorts of different things, and
this has been the idea that's really resonated the most
of both countries, I think. So I don't think it's
a case of any you know, one person or one
one of the nations taking credit for it, doce. It's
just been an outcome of a really good process of
a couple of unions that certainly respect each other and
want to be able to work together a lot.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
You said roadblocks, Mark, So what exactly is in the
way of these tours going ahead?
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Oh, look, I don't think. I wouldn't call them roadblocks.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
I just think in any development of a major idea
like this, which is a you know, a departure from
how things have been done in the past, it's just
a lot of things, some some expected and sometimes some
unexpected to work through, and some some a more major
than others, you know, so we're really down to at
present times just looking at the final final schedules and
(04:25):
finals sort of commercials, and you know they ever say
they are getting work through all the time, and we're
coming closer and closer and closer together on those things
and more we sort of talk, so.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
You know, it's just it's a bit more work to do.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Really, I wouldn't I wouldn't say big roadblocks or big obstacles.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
It's just a case of just taking a time to
make sure get the right It's an important concept and
it's one we want to make sure we make all
the right decisions for and putting it together.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
So it is looking like it's going to happen. Mark
is a bit of work to do, but it is
signed and sealed, just just a matter now of getting delivered.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
We're really encouraged, Arthur, I know you.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
I know, hard to get a sort of definitive statement
out of me here, but it's it's just a bit
too early to confirm it. I think we just need
a little bit more time. But it's it's facking really positive,
as I've said a couple of times already, and there's
good sentiment between the unions and we're clear on what
has to be sort of worked through, so hopefully we've
got more to say before the next couple of months.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Really, so does this have much of an effect on
the global calendar? Is this going to get in the
face of anything that's already pre pained? Did the world
rugby have to be involved in this?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, it works sort of the existing calendar, so there's
no change to the calendar as such.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
You know it'll be played in the Rugby Championship window.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
We're working really hard with Australia and Argentina is to
what in twenty six and thirty, you know, their fixtures
will look like, and then twenty seven, twenty eight and
twenty nine as it relates to the next cycle. There's
some really great work as to how all four unions
will be be working together in six and thirty. You know,
(06:08):
it's it really deserves to wait to sort of more
new news comes out of scenes are on us, but
they're thinking really creatively about what other countries might be
able to be involved, how we can still have some
connection to Australia and Argentina in those years.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
So there's certainly.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
A really positive intent from new Zealand and so there
I going to make sure that that those teams are
getting great fixtures still and then these other opportunities possibly
for other unions, and thinking about that that eight week
window and the Raping Championship.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
That can be utilized as well.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
So yep, you're right, I mean all the you know,
there's a lot to work through there, but I wouldn't
describe it as a change or an extension of the
global calendar. The global calendar, the regulation nine windows will
stay exactly as they are now and now you know,
our test match schedule will sit the same as it
it essentially does now, sort of between thirteen and fourteen
(06:57):
in any given year, depending on what's going on and
what stage of a World Cup cycle we're at.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
So what about Australia and what about Argentina? If this
actually happens the South Africa New Zealand tours, is there
a chance that maybe there'll be a similar situation with
both Argentina and Australia.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah, it's been talked about in one of the years,
So you know, can we utilize one of the years
to do more traditional you know, you could have two
sort of three week tours potentially but again that's more
to sort of stands out to, you know, announce and
share more information on that when.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
The time's right.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
But they're doing a huge amount of work with their
competition and tournament teams on different models and and that
sort of idea is certainly figuring for at least one
of the years maybe.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
And it appears Mark Robinson's CEO of n Z are
that the governance situation that's been fraught over recent times,
it looks like it's going to be sorted out and
the various parties are coming together to try and find
some common ground to push forward. I believe as early
as December there'll be some solutions presented.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Yeah, you're exactly right.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
There's probably not much for me to build on that, Darcy.
I think the stakeholder groups have come together in the
last a few weeks. It sounds like they've made good progress.
It seems to be a clear way forward now as
to what next steps are for working through a process
to appoint the board by time before Christmas.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
So that's now.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
That's what I've been updated on while I've been over here,
and largely it seems to be a good coming together
the game and it seems that most you, most views
of the stakeholders have been heard in that forum and
they're looking forward to get on with things now.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
So now depinarly involved, Are you personally, Mark Robinson as
CEO of NS are you're getting your hands dirty? Are
you in that space to a degree?
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Well, I'm not involved in all.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I haven't been involved in the government's advisory plannel work.
But we do provide a lot of support for our
mainly through our legal team Darcy, the people that are
close the constitution and all the different machinations of what
you know sits in the Constitution as.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
It relates to the board.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
So we provide a lot of support there into the
stakeholder groups, and we provide a lot of support primarily
again through our legal team into Patchy and the Board
informing them of what's going on.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
But no, I'm not involved.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
To repeat all, we'll talk a bit of coach Jorli
Marco promise. But before that, there's a rather large meeting
set to go ahead. It's a huge meeting. It's around
the finances of the game and we know that globally
it's fraught. All the CEOs and the major shareholders involved
in this are coming together to try and knock together
(09:47):
a solution.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Yeah, I think when you know, we're being pretty open
certainly when we share our own results and the challenges
we have of making our overall model work, that we're certainly.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Not on our own there.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
And in fact, when we compare ourselves to a lot
or most national unions around the world, I think we're doing,
you know, relatively well in that space. But notwithstanding that,
you know, we none of us can play the game
on our own. We need we need each other as
national unions to be strong, and we need, you know,
to find ways to be able to create and drive
(10:21):
greater efficiency so the cost base of the game. Be
thinking more about that, and we need to be thinking
about how we can work together create greater.
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Revenues as well. So, yeah, they are important meetings.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
We're not there for very long, it's fair to say,
and coming from all the way, I'm going from from
Sydney myself back up to Dublin for a couple of
days essentially, and we certainly hope we get some really
you know, great engagement and some really meaningful sort of
outcomes from from the meetings. And it's fair to say
most major things are on the table, the role of
(10:53):
world rugby in this and some of the competitions that
are are challenged in terms of getting up and going
at the moment, some of the no secret things like
the sevens WXE, the women's game in general in terms
of making you know, a model that can work for
both of those formats, you know, And there's a whole
(11:14):
lot of commonalities across all the national unions that we're
going to sit down and hopefully spend some good time on.
And then and like I said before, some ideas around revenue.
As I guess with most unions now taking on partners
to help drive revenues and focusing on their own.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Models, there is also a number of ways we can probably.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Be working better across all of the national unions in
this world able to drive revenues a bit more.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
So, what about the shadow of Saudi Arabia playing me
very keen to get involved in sport right across the
globe and number of different sports they've got a big
war chest behind them. Is that a possibility. Has that
advanced any further forward?
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Well?
Speaker 3 (11:52):
No, I mean you've asked me a couple of times
on Nastasi and recent times about the connection with Saudi
Arabian we don't.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Have any.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And heaven and in the past, and I'm not aware
of any disc that's not an a gender item during
these meetings in a couple of weeks time.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Yeah, But to be honest, this is always floating around
this concept of sounding money. It still seems to be
in the effort, So I suppose I have to ask
questions like that. Mark, I'm sorry that you're bored of
my narrative.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Mate.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Yeah, it's a fair question, Darcy. I mean, but that's
just the reality. I think there's always speculation around the game,
and we've become accustomed to dealing with things that frankly
aren't true or only we're near the truth, to be honest, sometimes,
and that's just the way we have to work through
an operator in sport, whether it's a high degree of
scrutiny and a high degree of interest and passion for
(12:45):
the sport, and that's that. I always say that that's
fantastic at one level because it shows that people care
and they want to understand the directions of sports. So
we understand that. But at the same time we have
to be clear and things affectually incorrect as well.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Thanks for clearing that up, Mark, But the summit itself,
it's only sure, well's that's the goal? What is the
endgame here? What do you guys need to have packaged
art before you get out of Dublin.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Well, I think the backdrop to this, obviously, Darcy, is
the election for Chair of World Rugby and the election
of a new board.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
In mid November.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
So I think, you know, my sense is World Rugby
are looking to advance some of this work and try
to create some momentum so that when the new board
come together and the executive are working with them, we
have a bit of a pathway to work on these
major major topics we're going to be talking about. So
coming out of that, we've got some really clear actions
that actually can and see some change come about in
(13:46):
some of.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
These areas that we're all concerned about. So certainly, you.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Know, sitting here right now, I don't have all the
answers as to what's going to come out of it.
You've got to appreciate that, you know, there are twelve
unions going in all with different lenses and different views
on something somewhere aligned and some you know, there's not
strong alignment. So it's just a case of understanding each
other's you and working through that and getting the best
sort of level of align we can on on important
(14:10):
topics and then I guess developing a plan for each
of those and working forward from there.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Of course, the reason why all of these meetings is
the love of the game of rugby. Going to South
Africa from an all Blacks perspective is right at the pinnacle.
It's been tough going for Rasor Robertson so far, but
if you look at his tenure at the moment and
what he's achieved, are you raising this highly happy with
what Scott Robertson's achieved so far?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Oh, look, we're really happy with you know, the work
that's going in Darcy.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
You know, as you say, a.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
New group, number of new playing group and new management group,
some you know, some great glimpses at times of what's.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Going to be possible for this new group. Clearly some
things to work on.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
So no, we're we're we're really pleased with with where
they're working to and certainly know to your question about effort,
there's no there's no doubt there's a huge amount of
effort and massive amount of work going and it's been
nice to be you know, in and around camp in
the last eight or nine days to see that firsthand
and see, you know, some of the efforts going in
the detail that goes into preparing for these games certainly
(15:18):
a bit different to my day dafter that twenty five
years ago. There is a lot more involved.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
In it now.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
And you know, we've got really good quality people, all
working really hard together, so we've got to keep on
supporting them, back in them and looking forward to the weekend.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
I think the most intriguing thing here about this game
in Cape Town is the changes that have been made
right across the board for the all Blacks, more predominantly
for the South African side. We don't really know what
either of them are thinking, especially Rassi Erasmus. This just
continues what as I suppose a wonderful cat and Mouse game.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
Mark, Yeah, I mean, I guess it's a storyline coming out.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
It seems to be dasty. I think. I think Razor and.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Rassi are just doing, you know, what's right for their team.
It's it's great that the fans and the media can
pick up on it and call, you know, storylines like
Cat and Mouse. But I genuinely believe are looking at
their their squads are looking at winning, you know, in
the in the near term, they're looking at developing for
the future. They've all got plans around what the next
(16:19):
you know, one, two, three, four years looks like, and
you know, they put a lot of thought and effort
into that, and I think that's what we're seeing around
selections is a reflection of both both camps, you know,
working working to their own plans.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Really, but yeah, it does.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
I mean in fixtures like this, there's just so much
in fregue, you know, and so much scrutiny. There's lots
of call different storylines and you know, certainly the South
African media here is is really really engaged and passionate,
and so you know it's not surprising we're seeing lots
of different storylines, which is great.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
All right, Matt Robinson, give us a punt. How much
of the old that's going to win by I'll.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
Take it by any Darcy.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
It's just going to be you know, it's going to
be a fantastic game and atmosphere, and you know, I
know that the team put in a huge amount of
your fit looking forward to supporting them on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
I'm pretty sure we'll have a lot more support than
we had. Ellis park Is rather.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
To be a little bit more black in the crowd.
Speaker 4 (17:14):
Hope you being a little bit more noise.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
For us as well, and I'm hopefully all that can
contribute to getting us time.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yeah, well hopefully it can. Looking forward to it. There's
an understate for your Mark Robinson, CEO of NZ. As always,
thank you very much for your time here on News
Talk SEDB.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
You go well, Thanks Darcy goat chet for more from
Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live to News Talk
sed B weekends from midday or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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