New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson is optimistic a $460 million deal for local rugby will go ahead.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson. Photo: Photosport
Robinson spoke to media today about what he called a "transformational" deal in which a US investment firm Silver Lake would buy 15 percent in NZ Rugby.
He was speaking for the first time since it emerged some of the country's leading players were threatening to block the deal.
The New Zealand Rugby Players Association says New Zealand rugby's Māori and Pasifika culture is "not for sale", and it is worried a deal could ruin the sports relationship with fans.
A mediator has been called in to resolve the stand off.
The letter is signed by 1987 All Blacks World Cup-winning captain David Kirk, NZ players association chief executive Rob Nichol, All Blacks captain Sam Cane, All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Dane Coles and Black Ferns Sarah Hirini and Selica Winiata.
Robinson said the letter was signed two months ago and he had since spoken to the players involved.
"What I'm hearing is that it was at a time and place some time ago now and things have changed markedly in terms of the amount of information to consider. What it says to me during those conversations is that they (the players) remain very open minded."
Nichol had said the players association would block the sale if they can't agree to terms with NZR.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane is among several senior players who have expressed reservations about the Silver Lake deal. Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2020 / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
Robinson was confident they could resolve their issues and said they would not push forward without the players' support.
He said he planned to speak with key stakeholders, including the Players' Association, on Wednesday.
"We appreciate Rob's views, he's been very public about those. We're looking forward to the opportunity of sitting down behind closed doors in the coming days and talking through some of those concerns.
"We believe we've provided him a lot of information to help him understand the overall state of the game in this country as well as the overall potential benefits bringing in a partner can bring."
A large part of the players' concerns centred around how a largely Anglo American US investment company might misappropriate or misuse Pasifika culture and tikanga Māori that is part of the fabric of the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby.
Robinson said there were plans in place to stop that from happening.
"We believe we've given due care and consideration around all the potential risks, controls and enhancements around cultural consideration here. We continue to receive feedback as to how that might be reflected in any partnership.
"It's certainly something we've been very, very conscious of right the way through and we've had full consultation with the Māori rugby board."
Robinson said it was no secret that New Zealand Rugby needed money, that its cash reserves were eaten into by the Covid-19 pandemic, and its financial model was not sustainable.
He believed the Silver Lake deal was the answer.
"We need to think really long and hard if we want the game to be the way it's always been in terms of its place in New Zealand history, we will have to reposition the game and reposition the way we approach it.
"We cannot continue doing things exactly the same way we have over the last 130 years. As great as our legacy has been, there's going to be a need to have to change some of the ways we operate."
Next month the 26 provincial unions are set to vote on the deal, with NZ Rugby needing a 50.01 percent vote in favour of the proposal.
They also need approval from the players association.
If the deal does get done, and Robinson believes it will, it will be announced at NZR's next annual general meeting on 29 April.