'You suspect another white, male Cantabrian isn't quite what NZR needs right now': Talk of diversity no substitute for actual diversity
It’s hard not to wonder if New Zealand Rugby have missed an opportunity here.
At most other times in our game’s history, Stewart Mitchell would have been the ideal choice as NZR chairman.
A Shirley club stalwart, who played for the New Zealand Colts and went on to serve on the Canterbury, Crusaders and NZR boards, Mitchell has a long and successful association with the game.
An accountant by trade, with strong corporate governance credentials, he epitomises the ‘good rugby man’ in so many ways. At least the Canterbury ideal of one, anyway.
These are interesting times for NZR, times in which they need to be seen to be making progress. To be diversifying and innovating and shedding the air of cronyism that appears to accompany so many appointments within the organisation.
By every traditional measure, Mitchell is a man to be respected and reckoned with. But, in absolute fairness, you suspect another white, male Cantabrian isn’t quite what NZR needs right now.
We’ve witnessed an occasionally bitter war of words between NZR and our leading players of late.
We’ve been through the specifics of their disagreement about private equity investment in NZR before, so we might leave that to the side. Essentially, though, the debate seems to have come down to who knows best.
The young and inclusive and worldly lot from the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA) and the dopey old duffers at NZR. Neither stereotype is strictly fair, but that’s the reality of how each side tends to be portrayed.
I’ve no idea how competent Bailey Mackey is for instance, but he was the main alternative to Mitchell in this instance.
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A former Ngati Porou East Coast player and president, Mackey’s largely made his name in the media. These days it’s Auckland – rather than Gisborne – that he calls home, running a successful television production company.
He’s young, Maori and far better in touch with players than many other folks in rugby administration.
Does that mean he should have gone from NZR board member to NZR board chairman? The honest answer is maybe.
It’s all very well for someone such as Mitchell to talk about diversity, as he did after his appointment. To sing the praises of new NZR deputy chair Farah Palmer and enthuse about the hard work and challenges that lie ahead.
Equally, though, this game doesn’t really need any more talk about diversity. It actually just needs a Palmer or a Mackey in charge.
You don’t need to talk about inclusivity then. There’s no need to say how much you care about various issues.
Simply by appointing someone beyond rugby’s traditional administrative framework, your actions do all the talking for you.
If NZR wants to win the hearts and minds of the rugby community – let alone the NZRPA – then they have to help themselves. They have to recognise the game is a broad church and that perhaps there are different ways of looking at things and different administrative pathways.
It’s not always particularly healthy to say that – for all their undoubted success – the way they do things in Canterbury is the way that we all should do it.
People suspect that NZR is a bit of a closed shop and that difference is tolerated, rather than celebrated. That you’re either one of us or you’re one of them.
As well-credentialed as Stewart Mitchell is, his appointment will have done little to erase those suspicions.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments