Greedy NZRU slammed over proposed Denver match

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

The New Zealand Rugby Union is once again being questioned over the reasons for the proposed All Blacks-Wallabies game in Denver. It is understood the NZRU and the ARU will each receive around $2.5 million dollars from the match, while USA Rugby will only get about $200,000.

Former NZRU boss David Moffett claimed it is another example of revenue gathering rather than growing the game.

He added that if those figures are correct it is a scandal as USA Rugby could use the money.

Moffett said the Hong Kong test last year was all about money and it is rubbish to suggest otherwise.

Moffett said it would be easier to understand if the NZRU and ARU just admitted they were using the game as a revenue earner.

Denver officials were in New Zealand last week discussing the possible test, which would occur in October or November of this year.

The NZRU have admitted that Denver is in competition with Tokyo in a bid to host the All Blacks.[/b]

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/nzru-slammed-...r-match-2470407

I understand what Moffett is getting at to a certain extent. A greater share of the money generated going to the USA would be better for the game there and the money being paid out to the NZRU and ARU seems disproportionate. Having said that, New Zealand and Australia are professional teams and have to fund the game in their own countries. Why shouldn't they look for a large wedge of money? $200,000 going to USA Rugby is far better than nothing and the potential publicity the game generates can only boost the profile of the sport in the States.

 

[Prestwick]

Basically Moffet is correct. The man is a hugely controversial figure but for the most part he is right on a lot of things. And he is bang on the money with this.

 

[Bullitt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Prestwick @ Feb 10 2009, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Basically Moffet is correct. The man is a hugely controversial figure but for the most part he is right on a lot of things. And he is bang on the money with this.[/b]

Unlike poor old USA rugby.

 

[C A Iversen]

I can see where this is going. Three NH posters in a row (counting the op). Money's never been the root of any evil up there has it? LMFAO.

 

[Fa'atau82]

USA should get more than that in my opinion, but if they are happy with that figure then there is no problems. Where else is USA Rugby going to get $200,000 for nothing?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I can see where this is going. Three NH posters in a row (counting the op). Money's never been the root of any evil up there has it? LMFAO.[/b]

Funny then that I haven't castigated NZ and Australia for taking as much money as they can. They have a pro game to run so they should take whatever money they can to help finance it. Ireland and South Africa have looked into the possibility of playing a game in Hong Kong purely for the money whereas NZ and Oz are at least doing something, however small, to increase exposure to the sport in North America. The fact that they'll also boost their own "brand awareness" and bank balance makes it a good deal for them.

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Feb 11 2009, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can see where this is going. Three NH posters in a row (counting the op). Money's never been the root of any evil up there has it? LMFAO.[/b]

Funny then that I haven't castigated NZ and Australia for taking as much money as they can. They have a pro game to run so they should take whatever money they can to help finance it. Ireland and South Africa have looked into the possibility of playing a game in Hong Kong purely for the money whereas NZ and Oz are at least doing something, however small, to increase exposure to the sport in North America. The fact that they'll also boost their own "brand awareness" and bank balance makes it a good deal for them.
[/b][/quote]

You make a good point there, was just getting in before the tide of NH posters start shaking their finger at the NZRFU (quite likely forgetting the ARU). It was unfair of me in light of your post in particular.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Feb 11 2009, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can see where this is going. Three NH posters in a row (counting the op). Money's never been the root of any evil up there has it? LMFAO.[/b]

Funny then that I haven't castigated NZ and Australia for taking as much money as they can. They have a pro game to run so they should take whatever money they can to help finance it. Ireland and South Africa have looked into the possibility of playing a game in Hong Kong purely for the money whereas NZ and Oz are at least doing something, however small, to increase exposure to the sport in North America. The fact that they'll also boost their own "brand awareness" and bank balance makes it a good deal for them.
[/b][/quote]

You make a good point there, was just getting in before the tide of NH posters start shaking their finger at the NZRFU (quite likely forgetting the ARU). It was unfair of me in light of your post in particular.
[/b][/quote]
No offense taken. I think a Bledisloe Cup match with a USA v Canada game tagged on as curtain raiser could really help the profile of the sport in the USA, or at least in the Colorado area. Denver seems a sporting hotbed and it would be great if Union could tap into it somehow.

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Feb 11 2009, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Feb 11 2009, 09:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can see where this is going. Three NH posters in a row (counting the op). Money's never been the root of any evil up there has it? LMFAO.[/b]

Funny then that I haven't castigated NZ and Australia for taking as much money as they can. They have a pro game to run so they should take whatever money they can to help finance it. Ireland and South Africa have looked into the possibility of playing a game in Hong Kong purely for the money whereas NZ and Oz are at least doing something, however small, to increase exposure to the sport in North America. The fact that they'll also boost their own "brand awareness" and bank balance makes it a good deal for them.
[/b][/quote]

You make a good point there, was just getting in before the tide of NH posters start shaking their finger at the NZRFU (quite likely forgetting the ARU). It was unfair of me in light of your post in particular.
[/b][/quote]
No offense taken. I think a Bledisloe Cup match with a USA v Canada game tagged on as curtain raiser could really help the profile of the sport in the USA, or at least in the Colorado area. Denver seems a sporting hotbed and it would be great if Union could tap into it somehow.
[/b][/quote]

Exactly. Even if this game raises the profile of rugby union 20% in that state alone it'd be a worthwhile exercise. I'm more worried that it may be a close, tense game, with no real excitement for a crowd of people new to the game and largely neutral.

 

[frntline]

Their are a lot of good points but coming from an American perspective I believe that the 5 million should go to the USA Super League(USA's Premier League). I would like to see most of the USA Rugby fund go to this and also a combined league with Canada's Super league. To increase the skill and professionalism in North America. Cause the end goal is to create better domestic players and grow the sport in NA but you can't really do that without a goal for players to play rugby instead of American Football. Like people say all the time if we can get even the College Football Players that don't go to the pro's to play rugby our player pool will double in size and skill.

 

[frntline]

don't get me wrong i would like nothing more to watch the All Blacks and the Aussie go at it in Denver but i think we could use the money for other things

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frntline @ Feb 11 2009, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

don't get me wrong i would like nothing more to watch the All Blacks and the Aussie go at it in Denver but i think we could use the money for other things[/b]

This isn't money that you guys are just going to be given if it doesn't happen. The only way your getting a cent of this is if our teams turn up. It's TV rights and gate receipts, that'll make this money.

Why should all the money be given to USA? Why should our players turn up for free? Is the US (the worlds largest ecomony.....for now), giving NZ & australian soccer $5 million when the LA Galaxy come play in our backyard? No. They were given big assed money and are rich already. The nerve!

 

[frntline]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frntline @ Feb 11 2009, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

don't get me wrong i would like nothing more to watch the All Blacks and the Aussie go at it in Denver but i think we could use the money for other things[/b]

This isn't money that you guys are just going to be given if it doesn't happen. The only way your getting a cent of this is if our teams turn up. It's TV rights and gate receipts, that'll make this money.

Why should all the money be given to USA? Why should our players turn up for free? Is the US (the worlds largest ecomony.....for now), giving NZ & australian soccer $5 million when the LA Galaxy come play in our backyard? No. They were given big assed money and are rich already. The nerve!
[/b][/quote]

I'm not saying that they should do it for free not at all but I believe that the money that we do have should go to other things that need to be done in the states. I'm not asking NZ or Australia to give us anything like the Unions can even afford it in these times. I believe that we as USA need to get ourselves up on our feet from within. I know people are not gonna give USA Rugby money by any means(maybe the IRB) because of the USA has the biggest ecomony but USA Rugby only gets there money from the IRB and they use that money to setup games like USA v Munster and USA 7s and they only get about 10,000 people at each game and $20 a pop is only $200,000. Which means were paying each Union $2.5 million out of our own pocket cause we cant guarantee the attendance. And remember we still have to pay for the stadium and the team to come over. All I'm saying is that USA RUGBY doesn't have alot of money.

Sorry if it sounds weird dyslexia is a *****

Oh and btw i didn't know that LA Galaxy went on tour and i know their greedy ********.

 

[frntline]

to sum that up is we still have to fork over the $2.5 million if we don't get the attendance we want :heat:

 

[Fushitsusha]

4 Bledisloe Cup matches is overkill.

It also means that Australia now have to win 3 out of 4 matches (rather than the usual 2/2 or 2/3) to obtain the Bledisloe... and that only includes 1 home game.

Why don't we have 8... or 12 Bledisloe games a year! Maybe Australia and New Zealand should play nobody but themselves! Wouldn't that just be a spectacle...

I'm all for the increase in revenue it may bring, and the idea of spreading the game... but this simply isn't the answer.

The Tri Nations is already over extended in its 9 game format.

 

[C A Iversen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frntline @ Feb 11 2009, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (C A Iversen @ Feb 10 2009, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frntline @ Feb 11 2009, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

don't get me wrong i would like nothing more to watch the All Blacks and the Aussie go at it in Denver but i think we could use the money for other things[/b]

This isn't money that you guys are just going to be given if it doesn't happen. The only way your getting a cent of this is if our teams turn up. It's TV rights and gate receipts, that'll make this money.

Why should all the money be given to USA? Why should our players turn up for free? Is the US (the worlds largest ecomony.....for now), giving NZ & australian soccer $5 million when the LA Galaxy come play in our backyard? No. They were given big assed money and are rich already. The nerve!
[/b][/quote]

I'm not saying that they should do it for free not at all but I believe that the money that we do have should go to other things that need to be done in the states. I'm not asking NZ or Australia to give us anything like the Unions can even afford it in these times. I believe that we as USA need to get ourselves up on our feet from within. I know people are not gonna give USA Rugby money by any means(maybe the IRB) because of the USA has the biggest ecomony but USA Rugby only gets there money from the IRB and they use that money to setup games like USA v Munster and USA 7s and they only get about 10,000 people at each game and $20 a pop is only $200,000. Which means were paying each Union $2.5 million out of our own pocket cause we cant guarantee the attendance. And remember we still have to pay for the stadium and the team to come over. All I'm saying is that USA RUGBY doesn't have alot of money.

Sorry if it sounds weird dyslexia is a *****

Oh and btw i didn't know that LA Galaxy went on tour and i know their greedy ********.
[/b][/quote]

You guys wouldn't be paying $2.5 million to the union out of your own pockets. I believe the money in this case is coming from special television rights for this kind of fixture. No rugby union could afford that money.

I totally agree that USA Rugby is hard done by, but they seriously needed to have gone on a major sponsor hunt, trying every celebrity, billionaire and corporation in the US. I'd dearly love the US to become a much stronger rugby nation, but they need exposure, money and stars to make things happen. The IRB can only help out so much.

 

[OSU Blue]

I think it would help quite a bit for all of USA rugby, not only Colorado. In '07 me and three of my friends were broke as hell and drove 23 hours one way in a pick-up just to see the IRB sevens tournament in San Diego, then turned around and drove back 2 days later. I would definitely do all i could to see this match as long as it didnt bust my bank account.

I think it would be great for the high school level players, which is where rugby needs the most help in the states. A main problem at the college level (where i am now) is the lack of experienced high school players readily available to play. A good number of our team learned to play in college. All that does is (with the exception of some very few tremendous athletes) lose one semester to a year on that player teaching them to play the game. If they already knew how to play, they would be competing for position right off the bat and our team as a whole would be at a higher level. American high school players are fascinated with mention of international rugby, too. The All Blacks being the first team they ever hear about, talk about or recognize. Bringing that match here, and somehow getting it on ESPN or ESPN2 would be amazing.

Sorry, sort of off topic. Back to the money thing. That's debatable among those three nations, isn't it? Of course the US could use the money more than the aussies or kiwis, but what else do we have to bargain with?? The way i see it, NZ and AU have all the choice, if we get $200K, then go us, but the real benefit will be the best opportunity thus far to get people to really watch this sport and get involved.

 

[up'n'under]

I think this whole idea has the makings of a giant boondoggle. USA rugby is at a critical juncture and has too many things on it's plate already without trying to organize and promote a major fixture like a bledisloe match.I don't see how this could be financially viable.Invesco field(the Denver broncos nfl stadium that is being talked abut as the site) seats 76,000! Bledisloe cup matches in Australia or New Zealand generally don't even draw that much! I think the game should go to Japan. They already have a large player pool,solid university rugby competition (which draws a big crowd for its final),and semi-pro league. I think they are closer to developing into a solid rugby nation than we are.Plus the super 14 wants to expand into Tokyo anyway so they could use this to get the ball rolling.If they really want to hold a match stateside I would think that San Diego would be a better fit.The organizers of the SD 7's do a great job and have made a lot of solid contacts/partnerships in the community.I think they said they had around 25,000 attend for the weekend last year.They would be able to advertise the bledisloe match to those 20,000 fans who are already obviously supportive of rugby.Not to mention the fact that there is a large aussie and kiwi expat community already in california.The baseball stadium isn't ideal for rugby but 40,000 is a much more reasonable goal than 76,000.

 

[GazzaJAnimal]

Great idea to have this game played if it's gonna raise more awareness of Rugby in the US. But, are they gonna be preaching to the converted or will there be American sports followers who'll turn up out of curiosity sake.

As for raising money for USA Rugby is concerned, wouldn't getting 7's into the Olympics help in terms of government funding that goes with an established and viable Olympic sport?

Just a thought...