New Zealand Rugby has announced the provision of new 30 contracts for the Black Ferns
They are alleged to be set between NZ$ 60,000 and NZ$ 120,000 per annum. This compares with previous values between NZ$ 12,000 and NZ$ 25,000. Full details will follow later in the month. With various bonuses possible they would bring 15s players nearly into line with their 7s sisters.
Reactions include querying whether there should be a sliding scale of these proportions (‘one for all, all for one’), and whether Glenn Moore should have been part of the panel deciding the issue.
There have been conflicting responses to the latter: Colin Lendrum, NZR head of professional rugby, claimed it is perfectly normal and necessary for the head coach to offer his verdicts. Traci Houpapa, Chair of Women in Rugby Aotearoa, thought it ‘unusual and surprising’ that Moore took a seat in the decisions. In her view the contractual arrangements and the two reviews* should be entirely separate.
Houpapa felt further that it was high time the Black Ferns were properly rewarded (‘better late than never’). They had been neglected in more ways than one, for example, why so few international matches? While they were celebrating their 100th test match at Exeter, Sarah Hunter was chalking up her personal 126th.
In essence these contracts will resemble the French versions more closely than the English. Players will commit to 24-30 hours of rugby per week, but careers will be safeguarded; time away from rugby will be guaranteed.
On balance, this semi-pro approach will surely prove more fruitful as other countries look to provide contracts.
The Ferns begin their new year’s training programme next week in the picturesque Queenstown, deep in South Island. Alice Soper, who can be relied on to ask the questions that matter, wonders whether Moore will be in charge with that enquiry into his conduct still under way.
*The two reviews:
Into the complaints made by Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
Into the general management of the Black Ferns, with especial reference to the autumn tour
