Mark Robinson: NZ Rugby CEO on Ineos' breach of contract, legal action

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) CEO Mark Robinson has spoken publicly for the first time since it was revealed that NZR is suing Ineos for an alleged breach of contract that will leave the national organisation exposed to potential multimillion-dollar losses. 

NZR informed the provincial unions this week it was launching legal action after Ineos, the world’s largest chemical producer and owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, abruptly walked away from its lucrative sponsorship agreement three years early and failed to make its first payment in 2025. 

Ineos agreed a six-year sponsorship agreement with NZR in 2022. Its branding has been visible on the All Blacks, the Black Ferns and both sevens sides’ jerseys. However, with Ratcliffe now wanting out, that branding will be immediately removed. 

The stoush could have widespread ramifications for the New Zealand rugby ecosystem, with financial challenges already prevalent throughout the game, particularly at the grassroots level, and Ineos among the three major sponsors alongside Adidas and Altrad. 

The Ineos deal is believed to be worth $21 million a year to New Zealand Rugby. 

Robinson told Newstalk ZB’s Elliott Smith that conversations began at the back end of 2024 and that they had been working on a resolution for “a little while”. 

“There were some conversations at the back half of last year, so we’ve been working at this a little while, [we’re] obviously disappointed that it’s got to this stage where Ineos have breached and are wanting to walk away but by the same token we have to work quickly to protect our commercial interests and the wider game. 

“We’re confident we have absolutely delivered on our agreement and we’re just going to have to work through it.” 

Robinson wouldn’t be drawn in to speculating as to Ineos’ motivations for pulling out of the deal, with Ratcliffe citing market conditions in Europe adding financial pressure to the company. 

“That’s for them to speak to ... we’ve been overwhelmed with incredible support from our partners around the world and domestically who continue to be really pleased with the value we offer in these partnerships. 

“What we’re focused on is obviously getting a resolution around this matter and then focused on the future.” 

Ineos said that it had sought to renegotiate the deal with New Zealand Rugby and expressed regret that the matter is now the subject of legal action. 

“Unfortunately, rather than working towards a managed solution, New Zealand Rugby have chosen to pursue legal action against their sponsor. We remain in ongoing discussion with New Zealand Rugby.” 

Robinson wouldn’t disclose details about any proposed settlement terms but did say there would remain contact between the parties around a possible resolution. 

“As I say, we’ve been working on this for a little while. It got to a stage where clearly we weren’t able to do that and the next step the path we’ve gone down. We’ll keep in contact about whether there’s any other possibilities through mediation but I’m not going to comment on that.” 

The NZR boss said he does not regret entering into the deal with Ineos. 

“There’s been some really good things achieved in it, but unfortunately it’s got to this stage.” 

Robinson declined to divulge whether there had been communication between the parties since the legal action was taken by NZR, but said they would “continue to work through it”. 

Will Toogood is an online sports editor and golf reporter for the NZ Herald. He enjoys watching people chase a ball around on a grass surface so much he decided to make a living out of it. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Edbly came like a bolt from the blue earlier this
week that New Zealand Rugby was taking in the OS
to court over unpaid sponsorship in the OSS, ditching the
deal with New Zealand Rugby a good three years early,
citing market conditions reports seducing that in THEOS came with
perhaps a settlement offer of some kind of New Zealand

(00:33):
Rugby that was rejected and now into court we go,
or at least the court process has started from New
Zealand Rugby. Plenty to get stuck into on that matter
with Mark Robinson, along with other rugby topics, and so
grateful to have New Zealand Rugby Chief Chief Executive Mark
Robinson with us on the program this afternoon. Mark, thanks
for your time.

Speaker 3 (00:55):
To be with you.

Speaker 2 (00:56):
Well, plenty to get stuck into. But two cracking games
to start Super Rugby last night. The competition has got
off on a great note.

Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, well, absolutely delighted. You know you're right, I didn't.
I didn't get this charm come over to Sydney at
the moment, about to keep back home to that game
at Eden Park tonight. But clearly the game in christ
You sounded amazing from the hearts I've seen it was,
it was fantastic and then absolute flat in Sydney here
in the Highlands didn't quite hang on, but both had

(01:25):
had reasonable crowds, both really really strong quality of rugby
and I think it's reflective of the whole pre season
to be honest, Elliott, We're really delighted as it relates
to New Zealand, especially the way that the clubs were
out into the regions and did a great job with
the pre season programs into some of the smaller centers
and certainly built on you know, that digital presence we've

(01:48):
been working on for a couple of years now. I
think you've seen far greater reach and penetration right across
the rugby trinity and fans in general with Super Rugby Pacific.

Speaker 2 (01:57):
That continues tonight and into the season. Look big news
this week, Mark Robinson that New Zealand Rugby launching legal
action against any Aneso one of your major sponsors or
were one of your major sponsors. When did you get
a feeling this was heading south?

Speaker 3 (02:14):
The obviously some conversations through the behalf of last year,
So we're working at this a little while and obviously
disappointed that it's gone to this stage where everything else
have breached and I wanted to walk away, but you know,
by the same hope and we have to work quickly
to protect their commercial interests in the wider game. So

(02:36):
you know, we're incredibly confident that we have absolutely delivered
on our agreement and we're just have to you know,
we're over so well is this.

Speaker 2 (02:47):
Do you buy the excuse that it's market conditions.

Speaker 3 (02:53):
That's the end prospective? Earlier, you know, we've been overwhelmed
with incredible supports from our partners around the world and
domestically who continue to be really pleased with the value
were offering partnerships. And I'm up to the UK on
Thursday night and we've got a rap of meetings with

(03:13):
our existing partners and prospects as were interested in getting
behind New Zealand may being the teams in black. So
it's you know, we're focused on is obviously getting a
resolution around this matter, and then focused on the future
around looking after our existing partners and was going to
grow the sort of sponsorship family that we have.

Speaker 2 (03:30):
They say they tried to set all what were the
terms and why did you turn that down?

Speaker 3 (03:37):
Well, I'm sure you know that I can't answer that, Elliott,
But look, we as I said, I've been working on
this for a little while, they got to a stage
where clearing we weren't able to do that before. The
best extent was the pass we've gone down. We'll keep
in contact about where there's any other possibilities through mediation,

(03:59):
but look, I'm not going to commody more than that.

Speaker 2 (04:01):
Do you regret the deal with any of us?

Speaker 3 (04:04):
No? Look, you go onto these things very much. What
has been some fantastic we've done is I'll say in
the partnership, we've delivered on the things we set out to,
especially around the performance side of the agreement, you know,
engagement with the teams and or athletes. It has been
really positives. There's been some really good things achieved in it.

(04:26):
But unfortunately it's gotten to the stage.

Speaker 2 (04:29):
Have you heard from them since you know the league
action was filed again.

Speaker 3 (04:34):
I'm not going to get into you know the details
of the the communication there at the moment. We'll we'll
keep working.

Speaker 2 (04:41):
How do you fill a hole that has now been
left in your books? Though? For this year and years
beyond that. You are counting on multimillions coming in from
this innious deal for at least the next three years.

Speaker 3 (04:53):
Oh, I like I say, we're really pleased with the
level of engagement in support we have for existing partners
in the conversations that not going on about prospects. So overall,
obviously many times to the behalf of last year that
we're in a lot strong position as it relates to

(05:14):
the financial speak of their game and especially in the
areas of sponsorship. The spreads is just something we've got
to work through and we'll continue to focus on prayer
value and crime more partnerships with others going forward.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
How long you obviously mentioned you're going to the UK
this week. How long do partnerships like those take from
initial meetings to fruition's contract sign money starting coming through
into two bank accounts, et cetera. Because this isn't going
to be a quick process, isn't I'm sure a quick
process to get sponsors on board.

Speaker 3 (05:44):
Well, we're always, we're always in the market having conversations
about you know, possibilities with partners. So you know a
lot of those, a lot of those conversations alive constantly.
But look, ordinarily it can you view from sort of
three or four months to more to syptomment's just depending

(06:05):
on what sort of partnership, his jurisdiction and the whole
wide range of things are going to these agreements.

Speaker 2 (06:14):
You mentioned you've had communication from companies and your other
sponsors since then. But do you believe there's any reputational
damage I suppose as a result of any us pulling
out to the wide and New Zealand Rugby brand.

Speaker 3 (06:30):
No, I don't. I mean, I think we've been really
clear on our principles and values of integrity here. We've
worked incredibly hard. We talk a lot about the Rugby
Way within our organization as values a guide the organization,
and we believe we've stayed true to those. We've belve
to brands at an international level and strong look at

(06:51):
the following the teams with an editor another part of
the world is incredibly strong and as I say, the
godal feedback we've had it being very, very positive and understanding.
So now, look, I think that this is just a
case where we have to protect our interests. We're doing that.
We'll do that in a respectful way that's constructive and

(07:11):
keep working through.

Speaker 2 (07:12):
Mark Robinson, New Zealand apchief executive, our guest on Weekend
Sports This afternoon on News Talk ZB Mark. The all
Black Sevens Black Fans Sevens teams going to wear the
same usual uniforms with the ANYOS logos on their training
jerseys and shorts and everything like that at the Vancouver
event next weekend. Haven't changed those as yet. That are

(07:33):
free advertising for any Os, Isn't it hardly idea? They
haven't paid for it.

Speaker 3 (07:39):
He's always going to be just a few things in
these situations and just have to keep weaking through. So
we can't we can't forecast everything, collect everything with the
matter of these changes, so always for.

Speaker 2 (07:49):
That in a wider sense, how is the sports sponsorship market?
Because we hear about tightening belts and various things and
cost of living flying down to consumers. You're at the
forefront of trying to get more money in the door.
Is it a healthy sporting market that you're trying to
get sponsorship in at the moment?

Speaker 3 (08:07):
Well, I think across the country there'd be different views
on that. Clearly, you know New Zealand and a space
where things are chunding. But overall, when we probably looked
at the international market. As I said before, we do
have really strong interests of partnership we're looking for here

(08:27):
and certainly got really highly engaged in as to partners still,
but there's probably slightly more challenging at home. But overall,
as I say, the level of interest and engagement and
ability to sort of you know, get meetings and have
the opportunity to get in the door with key people
who do ling to work in these organizations around the world,

(08:50):
the potential partnerships is really positive.

Speaker 2 (08:52):
Market seems to a topic that continually raises its head,
So let's get stuck into it. Eligibility once again, use
Ritchy Monger won't be coming back home, perhaps as earlier
as many a tipped or expected, and you know, conversations
around whether he should be eligible. Is there anyone overseas
should be eligible? Where are we at with us? Is
this a conversation that is going to keep on keeping

(09:13):
on and be basically a thorn in New Zealand rugby side?
Where are we at?

Speaker 3 (09:18):
No, We're very clear the current policy we had, this
one that we think is served the game incredibly well
for a long period of time now, and you know,
there's no appetite to look at changing that anytime soon.
I think Ras would probably be first to admit that,

(09:40):
you know, he might have been able to be a
little bit clearer in the way he spoke about it
last year, and I think he's also in a space
where being one year into the role now, he understands
all the tools and flexibility we do have around that policy,
with the way the sabbaticals work and other sort of
terms that we have with than that policy. So look,
we are very aligned himself, the whole organization is very

(10:05):
very clear that the policy is you know, in place
for very good reasons. It's probably not appropriate for me
to talk any further on raisers behalf. I know he'll
be doing media coming up later in the year and
that'll be for him to spect to. But as it
stands at the moment, really clear on where stand and
we're really supportive of the policy going forward.

Speaker 2 (10:24):
And a new boards not going to change that.

Speaker 3 (10:26):
You don't think, no, there's been no conversations on this
metal for board. The board at any given time obviously
has the right to review any of our policies. It's
a New Zealand Rugby policy that the board. Ultimately we
have the right to decide on but the state and
he has been no signal, but there's something they want

(10:48):
to look at.

Speaker 2 (10:49):
Obviously a big time in rugby at the moment the
Six Nations is underway. Of course Super Rugby as well,
the World Game always a big topic around that bit.
With a year out from the Nation's Cup, do you
feel that a lot of the sporting nation rugby nations
are on the same page as you move towards the
sort of new era which is beginning next year.

Speaker 3 (11:10):
I think in terms of the vision for what we
want the calendar to look like, you know, absolutely. I
think it's incredible that the next five year schedule from
Tomic six through the theory that we've been able to develop,
especially for New Zealand. If you look at Nations Cup
starting as you say, we've got two lines. Here's coming
here with the All Black stud Adver series getting underway.

(11:32):
We've got two regular World Cups in this part of
the world with Fender time zones. We've got a well
global Club Cup competition and a lot of the competitions
around the club game we've been talked about in terms
of possibilities, you know, for in the future. So yeah,
we feel greater around the way the collaboration is working

(11:52):
as it relates to building out calendars and competitions. You know,
I think we've been really clear that we would like
ye to be more speed in terms of evolution in
the way the laws work in the game and the
way the product works. We will keep advocating very really strongly,
but the need for more tempo, less intervention in the game,

(12:14):
and that's what some of these meetings in the Northern
Hemisphere are next week about. So we're looking forward to
continuing those discussions. But as it relates to the general
direction of the game, creating value in working together for
the calendars, it's in a really positive space.

Speaker 2 (12:28):
Mark Robinson with us on new Zler on News TALKSB
this afternoon. Mark, Obviously, broadcast deal is overrching and still
being negotiated. Where are you at your negotiations from twenty
twenty six.

Speaker 3 (12:42):
Again, obviously can't talk too much more about that nearly.
It's sort of the previous questions to ask me on
the neest topic. It's just it's not appropriate. But as
I say, we're really pleased with the product that we
are bringing to market. We think this next five year
content schedule is the best that we've probably ever brought

(13:03):
to market and into the range of product and the
way that we'll keep us hands and when you look
at that combined tradictory of how the sport's being played
in the positive movements towards a more open, expansive sport
that you would love to think there'll be massive and
interest and obviously interested in acquiring the rights.

Speaker 2 (13:21):
Final question, Mark Robinson, so grateful for your time. Look,
joshpan announcing you one stay on with the Wallabes as
have you had a phone call with him? Would you
like him to be back on New Zealand Rugby's books
in some way, some shape, somehow.

Speaker 3 (13:34):
Well obviously over here at the moment and now I
think I think there's been a signal and it's been
weird that I will stay on and suncapacity with Rugby
Australia from bucking together. And look that it's not appropriate
to get into those conversations either to be honest, but look,
we really pleased overall when we look at the quality

(13:54):
of coaching across the you know, the New Zealand supersides,
the Australian supersides and then what we're seeing the international
between both teams that we've got great coaches down this
part of the world doing really good things and probably
from the legalar peras we've head that they're professional league
for some time, so look yere, we just hope that
they can keep producing the kind of product that we're seeing.

(14:17):
That the start is to predi suffect and then it
flows aren't really positive for the way that the All
Black Webb's performing international stage.

Speaker 2 (14:25):
That is Mark Robinson joining us on News Talk EDB
this afternoon. New Zealand Rugby chief executive What are we
fifteenth of February and plenty of rugby issues to get
stuck into the Inios one first and foremost at the
mind after the week that was taking legal action against
Inios on the basis of well no sponsorship incoming. They

(14:47):
were due more payments twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven
and theos have turned off the tap or the pump
might be more appropriate for in the Austin said, there's no
more and we are out of here.

Speaker 1 (14:58):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday or follow the
podcast on I radio