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'They're going to have to play a bit more semi-professional': Top Kiwi official warns NZ players may need second career

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Rob Nichol has warned that professional players in New Zealand may have to seek secondary jobs to accompany their rugby careers as the economic impact of COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc.

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According to Newshub, players are being told to prepare for a scenario where they will have to work in another profession alongside their rugby commitments as New Zealand Rugby grapples with the financial implications of coronavirus.

Nichol said that while NZR and NZRPA are committed to combatting the virus, which has brought the sporting world to its knees over the past few weeks, the current crisis could have a long-lasting affect on the game in New Zealand.

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“Maybe they’re going to have to step away from rugby,” Nichol told Newshub.

“Maybe rugby does change shape a little bit, and they’re going to have to play a bit more semi-professional and have a career in parallel to professional rugby.

“It may well be that, over the next 18 months to two years, a number of players are going to find themselves having to fall back on that kind of work and actually maybe step away from rugby.”

A move into a secondary job by the likes of All Blacks stars could help sustain the financial futures those at the lower end of the professional spectrum, such as players on low-tier provincial contracts.

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“It is absolutely quite tangible that a number of our players may end up having to go to a career outside of rugby for a period of time,” Nichol said.

Pay cuts are imminent for players in New Zealand, with NZR confirming to AAP that their staff are already taking 20 percent income slash.

“At the end of the day, it is making a sacrifice,” All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown told Newshub.

“But if it’s for the game we love, then we’ll do anything.”

His Chiefs and All Blacks teammate Damian McKenzie echoed those sentiments, telling Newshub that rugby’s uncertain future has forced him to survey at his options.

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“It definitely puts it into perspective about our careers post-rugby, so now is a good chance to have a think about that sort of stuff.”

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J
JD 1 hour ago
Steve Borthwick urged by predecessor to make radical Ben Earl decision

Happy to concede I mis read stats in relation to games played. Sorry about that.


Ojomoh is only a guaranteed starter when Redpath isn’t injured for Bath. Luckily for him Redpath is has been quite injury prone recently, but when Cam is fit, he starts. I like him, but he doesn’t have the second playmaker ability which England seem to prefer at 12.


Seb has not even made the A’s squad and is a long way from a call up. 2 years is too soon.


I’m not going to change my mind in respect of BJVR, mainly because I do not see his age as an issue (30 at the next world cup) and because I don’t see the issue with selecting players who are qualified for our country.


He fits the bill perfectly in terms of his skillset and type of play, he has been playing at the top level of club rugby for the last 6 years or so and is regarded as one of the best in our league in his position, starting week in/ week out for the second placed team.


If he was 33 or so at the next world cup, or if his form went off a cliff, I would agree with you. Neither of these are the case. If his form continues, he comes into the squad. No pressure to immediately excel as there will be around 10 games between a potential first cap and the WC.


Main mistake being made, regardless of the above, is SB persisting with Slade. Why not give Ojomoh a go now and see? Why not try Dingwall? Steve’s run of poor results mean he has slightly lost the ability to try different things unless we get some wins. I expect Ojomoh to tour Argentina in the summer though.

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