'Challenging for all involved': Blues, Chiefs join Crusaders in cutting staff jobs due to pandemic
The Blues and Chiefs have joined the Crusaders in making staff redundancies as the New Zealand franchises continue to grapple with the financial effects of the coronavirus.
In statements to the Herald, both northern franchises confirmed the cuts had been necessary despite emergency funding of $250,000 to each of the five franchises from New Zealand Rugby. Like many other businesses in New Zealand, the franchises have also taken up the offer of government support.
The final round of Super Rugby was played on the weekend of March 14-15 before the competition was suspended. Only seven rounds have been played this season and the franchises have suffered through a lack of gate takings and corporate opportunities.
The Hurricanes and Highlanders have said they have not yet cut staff numbers.
As New Zealand continues to curtail the transmission of the coronavirus and loosen the restrictions on gatherings and professional sport – the Government has signalled that professional sport could be possible in alert level two (just over three weeks away at least) – there is hope on the horizon for the Kiwi franchises. However, even should a domestic Super Rugby competition start in the middle of the year the financial implications will be long lasting.
NZ Rugby’s staff have taken a pay cut of 20 per cent and the five franchises have also asked staff to take a short-term salary reduction. New Zealand’s top players have also agreed to big pay cuts.
“This is a really challenging time for all involved and we are working alongside New Zealand Rugby and the other four Super Rugby Clubs to ensure we are in a position to resume Super Rugby,” Chiefs chief executive Michael Collins said.
“We along with a number of business have utilised the Government’s wage subsidy for our staff. However, we have had to make changes to our organisational structure due to the impact of Covid-19. Unfortunately this has impacted some of our staff, and as a result some fantastic and talented people have been affected.”
Blues chief executive Andrew Hore said: “As with all businesses in New Zealand in these unprecedented times, we have had to look at all areas of our finances in order to remain as a viable operation.
“This involves our staffing levels where we have made some redundancies which remain private employment matters. We have also made adjustments in salaries with the heartfelt support from our staff, who have also pruned expenditure in most aspects of our business.
“We are appreciative of the remarkable and positive contribution and support from our staff.”
The staff cuts are likely to be made to the administration rather than playing side of the franchises; in other words, commercial or marketing teams rather than coaching or management teams.
Highlanders general manager of rugby Greg O’Brien said: “At this stage there are no redundancies at the Highlanders as a result of the covid situation however as has been previously reported our staff have taken a salary reduction.”
Avan Lee, the Hurricanes chief executive, said “This crisis is incredibly difficult for most organisations and we are no different. Our staff have accepted salary reductions in the short-term. We will not be making any further comment as this discussion is not a public matter.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to comments