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'Sort it out': Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen weighs in on Silver Lake dispute
Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has broken his silence on the public feud between New Zealand Rugby [NZR] and the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association [NZRPA] over the ongoing Silver Lake saga.
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The spat between the two organisations took another turn last Friday when NZRPA chief executive Rob Nichol leaked to media that Kiwi-owned investment manager company Forsyth Barr had tabled an alternative offer to rival that of Silver Lake.
The proposal, which would see NZR sell a five per cent stake in its future commercial revenues through an NZX listing, could raise as much as $650m.
By comparison, Silver Lake, the American private equity firm, would buy a 12.5 percent stake in NZR for $387.5 million, a concept NZRPA has staunchly opposed largely due to the foreign ownership of the national union.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson slammed the NZRPA in stunning fashion shortly after the proposal was leaked to media for its “attempt to destroy” the Silver Lake deal, saying that the relationship between the organisations was “at a new low”.
Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw expressed reservations about the Silver Lake deal and called for reasoned debate between the two parties in the wake of the latest twist in the well-documented dispute, a sentiment echoed by his ex-All Blacks teammate Conrad Smith.
Northland Rugby chief executive Andrew Ritchie, meanwhile, slammed the NZRPA for its “immature” actions of leaking the Forsyth Barr proposal to the media before running it by NZR.
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Now Hansen, the former All Blacks boss who assisted the New Zealand national side to their drought-breaking 2011 World Cup crown and followed that up by guiding them to the 2015 World Cup title as head coach, weighed in on the debacle.
Stuff reports the 62-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the finest coaches in rugby history, to have said it was time for NZR and the NZRPA to come together and resolve their issues behind closed doors.
“I just wish they would stop airing all their dirty laundry in public, and sit down and get together and talk about it,” he said.
“There’s no point in arguing with each other publicly. Get everybody in the room and say, ‘Okay, let’s sort it out’.
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“The players are only sticking up for what they believe in, so you have got to give them a tick, and the rugby union are trying to get some extra money in the game, so you have got to give them a tick.”
Former Blues captain James Parsons believes the Waratahs aren’t as bad as their results this season suggests, despite calls from within the New South Wales franchise for significant changes. #SuperRugbyTT https://t.co/su3DjiUu4b
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Hansen also challenged NZR to at least consider the Forsyth Barr proposal, which values the national union up to $700 million more than Silver Lake, presented by the NZRPA.
“The board has to listen to their players, and they don’t need to be doing it in the front part of the house,” he said.
“Get everyone in a room – and actually listen to each other. They have got to be better than that.”
Although Robinson cast doubts over whether the Forsyth Barr offer would help NZR meet its objectives, it was confirmed on Monday night that national union had invited the NZRPA and Forsyth Barr to meet with its steering group on Friday.
That was made possible as Silver Lake waived its right to block negotiations with other parties.
The meeting will be attended by David Kirk, the former World Cup-winning All Blacks captain who is both the NZRPA president and chairman of Forsyth Barr.
There was a lot to like about how the @BluesRugbyTeam played on Saturday… But there was more to their game than just relentless attack. #SuperRugbyTT #REBvBLU #BLUvWARhttps://t.co/jF8YZOACBW
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Kirk hit back at conflict of interest claims last week as he maintained that he has “nothing to do with the negotiation with the agreement to employ Forsyth Barr to do this work” in his role as an independent non-executive chairman of the company.
Hansen, meanwhile, said he wishes that NZR allows the NZRPA to present their alternative view to the Silver Lake deal in the hope that the two bodies can come together to find a solution.
“Clearly one party doesn’t feel like they are being listened to. If that’s the case, then you are going to have people who are going to be grumpy.
“Everyone needs to change their attitude a bit, and go, ‘We are in this together and let’s sort out the best possible thing we can do for New Zealand rugby’.
“And that is all everybody really wants.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
30 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments