Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

New Zealand Rugby GM calls time

By Online Editors

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Neil “Sos” Sorensen has has resigned after 17 years at NZR and will officially leave the organisation at the end of the month.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This has been something in the back of my mind for some time now, and I have finally decided that the time is right for me to look for something new,” Sorensen said in a statement.

“I am excited about what might be around the corner, I love building, developing and leading teams but for now, I’m looking forward to supporting my team mates over the next few weeks before enjoying Easter as a fan and not as a ‘fish head’ as I have done for so long.

“I feel privileged to have been involved in so many different parts of the game – from Test and tour operations, to leading during rugby’s transition through to the modern era of rugby.  I have been able to travel overseas to support incredibly talented young people in the Under 20s, the Black Ferns, Maori All Blacks and the Sevens teams.

“But many of the moments that stand out as being special are the times I’ve witnessed how rugby can be a powerful connector for communities – from Rippa rugby tournaments, to Heartland Championship finals to proudly marching in the Pride Parade.”

NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew said 56-year-old Sorensen leaves a big hole in rugby.

“Sos [Sorensen] has been a very highly valued and adored member of the NZR family for a long time.

“He has been with NZR since 2001, and is one of our senior leaders who helped to refocus and rebuild NZR after the hosting rights were lost in 2002, including taking on the acting CE role at times. He was pivotal in professionalising our rugby operations, including the 2005 Lions Series, which helped set the scene for our successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The Rugby team has thrived and excelled under his leadership and he has led four game-changing collective negotiations with his team.

“Long before Respect and Inclusion became a strategic priority for all of NZR, Sos was a pioneer in this area for our organisation.

“Sos is deeply passionate, caring and generous with his ideas and knowledge for the good of rugby. He has made an incredible contribution to our game from grassroots to professional, and has been a key driver in the growth of the women’s game.

“We wish Sos and his family, the very best for the future,” Tew said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'Crikey': Son of league legend Martin Offiah picked by England U18s 'Crikey': Son of league legend Martin Offiah picked by England U18s
Search