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New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew to step down after 12-year tenure
New Zealand Rugby [NZR] chief executive Steve Tew has today announced he will stand down from his role at the end of this year.
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His departure will bring the curtain down on a 25-year long career in rugby administration, including the last 12 years as NZR CEO. Tew has worked at New Zealand Rugby since 2001 and will leave in December.
“After much reflection, I’ve decided that this is the best time for me to make way for someone else to lead New Zealand Rugby into the future and a new phase for our national game,” Tew said.
“There are new and exciting changes coming as a result of the upcoming, new international calendar; a changing broadcast environment; as well as a new All Blacks head coach to be appointed; so it’s the right time for me.
“I’ve always been a great advocate for challenging convention and keeping New Zealand Rugby fresh and invigorated, whilst always encouraging our people to grow and extend themselves. I believe the time is right for someone else to lead the organisation.
“It has been a great privilege to hold this position and I’m grateful for every day that I have experienced. My wife, Michele, and I have been talking for some time about the best time for us to move on to some new challenges. Our Chair Brent Impey and I also discussed when the best time would be to introduce some new blood and new leadership, to keep New Zealand Rugby at the top of our game.
“I’ve not made this decision lightly – it’s a job I love and I consider it an absolute privilege – but it is for those reasons, that I believe the time is right to step down.
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“I am immensely grateful to the board for their ongoing support. I also want to pay particular thanks to New Zealand Rugby’s staff. They are an incredibly hard-working, passionate group of people and it has been an absolute pleasure and privilege leading them.
“I also want to acknowledge the huge number of people from our commercial partners, provincial unions, Super clubs and other rugby organisations, our players, World Rugby and other international unions, for their support and friendship.
“I’ve made many lifelong friends through this game and it is comforting to know that so many, very good people are committed to rugby and making it a truly great, global game for all.
“I have been very fortunate to have worked with incredibly special leaders of the Board, including the late Jock Hobbs, Mike Eagle and Brent, and countless colleagues here at New Zealand Rugby.
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“My greatest gratitude and thanks go to my wife Michele and our daughters, Ruby Maddy and Lily, and extended family and friends. It goes without saying that their support and love have allowed me to give my best to this role.
“I’m excited to be looking at new opportunities, and I hope to still be able to contribute to rugby in some way.
“But for now, this year’s priorities will be the Rugby World Cup in Japan, confirmation of our competition structures, completion of the sale of our broadcast content and to ensure a smooth transition for my replacement. Then it will be time to leave and share some time and a classic or two with my family and friends.
NZR chairman Brent Impey paid tribute to Steve Tew, describing him as “one of the most influential figures in international rugby”.
“He has enhanced New Zealand’s reputation on the world stage, overseen incredible successes from our teams in black over the years and also led a team that has significantly grown the global profiles of those teams.
“I think it says a lot about Steve’s character that while we both consider he still has much to contribute to the organisation, and in fact World Rugby, he has taken an unselfish look at what is best for the game in New Zealand.
“Under Steve’s stewardship, New Zealand Rugby holds all four Rugby World Cups for both men’s and women’s Fifteens and Sevens teams, which is a remarkable achievement.
“Steve and I have worked closely over these last five years in our respective roles as chair and chief executive. I have enormous respect for his leadership, vision, philosophy and people management.
“He is, without doubt, an outstanding chief executive for New Zealand Rugby. He combines many skills including a passion for the game, respected leadership throughout the world, and driving the organisation to over-achieve in many respects.
“While our teams have excelled on the field, Steve has led the way, off it, including advocating for greater respect and inclusion, the introduction of The Rugby Way, and the substantial increase in revenue during his tenure, which was more than double.
“He has overseen the negotiation of many of our major commercial deals which underpin the funding of the game in New Zealand and has the respect of all our stakeholders, whether they are commercial partners, governments or within the rugby community in New Zealand and around the world.
“He will have an ongoing role as a director of Rugby World Cup, and we expect to see him involved with the development of rugby in our Asia-Pacific and North America regions.
“With the international rugby landscape set to change, the recruitment process for a new head coach of the All Blacks underway, two teams preparing for Olympic Games, and preparation for New Zealand to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup, it is an exciting time for New Zealand Rugby.
“We will immediately begin our search for a new chief executive, and Steve has kindly agreed to stay on until a replacement has been found and settled in.
“I want to thank Steve for his extraordinary leadership of rugby both in New Zealand and on the international stage. My hope is that his skills will not be lost to rugby altogether,” Impey said.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: “Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge what a fantastic contribution ‘Tewy’ has made to the game of rugby in New Zealand and globally, first with Canterbury and the Crusaders, and latterly with New Zealand Rugby and World Rugby.
“I don’t think there has been a better sporting CEO in New Zealand sport, especially given the immense scrutiny and expectation he had in his role at New Zealand Rugby.
“On behalf of the All Blacks, I’d like to thank him for his unwavering support for the team and management. It’s no coincidence that his time in the job has coincided with one of the most successful periods of All Blacks rugby. He’ll be sadly missed by the entire team, who have always enjoyed his company, support and passion.
“Personally, I’d like to thank him for all the support and wisdom he has given me throughout a very long association. He gave me my first job as director of the Canterbury Rugby Academy and then various coaching roles following on from that. But he’s been much more than just a great boss – he’s been a very supportive friend – and I’m immensely proud to call him a mate.
“Finally, I’d like to wish Steve, Michele and their girls all the very best for the future. When it’s all over, I look forward to sharing a quiet beer or two and reflecting on all the wonderful achievements in his career.”
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments