1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:16,027 Speaker 2: Talking Rugby three sixty. Let's get a view from the players, 4 00:00:16,107 --> 00:00:19,027 Speaker 2: or certainly the body that represents them. Rob Nichol is 5 00:00:19,067 --> 00:00:22,507 Speaker 2: the chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association. 6 00:00:22,627 --> 00:00:24,947 Speaker 2: He's with us now. Rob, thanks for your time this afternoon. 7 00:00:24,947 --> 00:00:28,547 Speaker 2: What is your reaction to the revelations this week about 8 00:00:28,627 --> 00:00:33,987 Speaker 2: Rugby three sixty and its potential impact on the game here, Yeah. 9 00:00:33,827 --> 00:00:37,267 Speaker 3: Good Castleton, Jason. Look, it's been around now for nearly 10 00:00:37,307 --> 00:00:40,867 Speaker 3: eighty months, so there's nothing new or surprising for us 11 00:00:41,027 --> 00:00:44,867 Speaker 3: or our credited agents or a large number of the players. 12 00:00:44,987 --> 00:00:48,347 Speaker 3: I guess a couple of key dates for the matter emerging. 13 00:00:48,507 --> 00:00:51,067 Speaker 3: Something September's a pretty important time in terms of if 14 00:00:51,107 --> 00:00:52,827 Speaker 3: they want to launch next year. They need a few 15 00:00:52,827 --> 00:00:55,867 Speaker 3: things taken off by then, and so it's become a 16 00:00:55,867 --> 00:00:58,267 Speaker 3: bit more public in this before agency, and you know 17 00:00:58,307 --> 00:01:01,107 Speaker 3: they're looking to get off us out to players around 18 00:01:01,107 --> 00:01:03,507 Speaker 3: the world to try and to try and stand up 19 00:01:03,507 --> 00:01:06,067 Speaker 3: the league. But it's not you know, it's not the 20 00:01:06,107 --> 00:01:07,787 Speaker 3: first time and it won't be the last time that 21 00:01:07,867 --> 00:01:13,587 Speaker 3: we have private interest looking to start rugby competitions, and 22 00:01:13,627 --> 00:01:15,507 Speaker 3: it's good. It's good that people see us forward as 23 00:01:15,507 --> 00:01:17,267 Speaker 3: something interesting and they want to invest in it and 24 00:01:17,347 --> 00:01:20,067 Speaker 3: they want to they want to create some activity and 25 00:01:20,867 --> 00:01:22,627 Speaker 3: probably disrupt things sort of it. 26 00:01:22,747 --> 00:01:24,827 Speaker 2: It's good, as you say, it's not the first time. 27 00:01:25,587 --> 00:01:27,107 Speaker 2: Do you believe this one has leaks? 28 00:01:28,547 --> 00:01:31,747 Speaker 3: Well, they certainly, you know, when we've met with them 29 00:01:31,787 --> 00:01:33,707 Speaker 3: a number of times now with the aids of the 30 00:01:33,747 --> 00:01:36,307 Speaker 3: guys driving, and they certainly don't seem to be lacking 31 00:01:36,347 --> 00:01:40,227 Speaker 3: the capital based on what they're representing and and they're 32 00:01:40,227 --> 00:01:43,907 Speaker 3: certainly they're certainly talking the game and they're taking action 33 00:01:44,347 --> 00:01:47,787 Speaker 3: and they're moving forward. But there's also, as there is, 34 00:01:47,787 --> 00:01:49,587 Speaker 3: is these things a lot a lot of questions that 35 00:01:49,587 --> 00:01:51,227 Speaker 3: have yet to be answered and only be sort of 36 00:01:51,267 --> 00:01:55,067 Speaker 3: answered in the fullness of time. Yes, it is a 37 00:01:55,067 --> 00:01:58,187 Speaker 3: little bit difficult to sort of say is this definitely 38 00:01:58,227 --> 00:01:59,947 Speaker 3: going to happen? Is it not? You know, we've had 39 00:01:59,947 --> 00:02:03,427 Speaker 3: competitions in the past where players have literally signed let 40 00:02:03,507 --> 00:02:05,867 Speaker 3: us have intention, then are just called us and you 41 00:02:05,907 --> 00:02:07,827 Speaker 3: don't hear anything about it. I think a couple of 42 00:02:07,947 --> 00:02:10,267 Speaker 3: years ago we had the twelves. We've got a couple 43 00:02:10,267 --> 00:02:13,427 Speaker 3: of sevens tournaments, one out of the States, one out 44 00:02:13,467 --> 00:02:16,787 Speaker 3: of out of the Middle East being bandied around at 45 00:02:16,787 --> 00:02:19,347 Speaker 3: the moment as well. And we had one in India. 46 00:02:19,427 --> 00:02:21,747 Speaker 3: Actually they ran two months ago. It was sort of 47 00:02:21,787 --> 00:02:24,507 Speaker 3: like an IPL equivalent for seven's rugby, and it was 48 00:02:24,507 --> 00:02:27,787 Speaker 3: really successful and did a great job. That one was 49 00:02:27,787 --> 00:02:29,427 Speaker 3: supposed to be stood up two years ago, but they 50 00:02:29,467 --> 00:02:32,147 Speaker 3: finally got it up and running this year. So you 51 00:02:32,387 --> 00:02:34,747 Speaker 3: just it's really just really hard to tell, to be 52 00:02:34,787 --> 00:02:38,947 Speaker 3: perfectly honest, and where we just explained to the players 53 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:41,827 Speaker 3: and their credited agents, just to be really sensible, go 54 00:02:41,947 --> 00:02:44,627 Speaker 3: through the detail, make sure you really have a strong 55 00:02:44,707 --> 00:02:47,547 Speaker 3: understanding of what you're considering and what the implications are 56 00:02:47,587 --> 00:02:52,467 Speaker 3: and what you're signing. Get good advice and work through 57 00:02:53,107 --> 00:02:55,147 Speaker 3: a good process. 58 00:02:55,547 --> 00:02:58,627 Speaker 2: There's the money that's being talked about, big enough to 59 00:02:58,787 --> 00:03:03,267 Speaker 2: turn the heads of players here, particularly those younger ones. 60 00:03:03,307 --> 00:03:05,267 Speaker 2: You can see, you know, older players have had their 61 00:03:05,267 --> 00:03:07,627 Speaker 2: all blacks career, they go off and play in Japan 62 00:03:07,747 --> 00:03:10,027 Speaker 2: or the UK. That sort of thing. Is the money 63 00:03:10,067 --> 00:03:12,267 Speaker 2: on offer here big enough to see the heads of 64 00:03:12,307 --> 00:03:13,187 Speaker 2: younger players. 65 00:03:13,707 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 3: It's quite funny issue. This protected the office that are 66 00:03:16,107 --> 00:03:18,307 Speaker 3: going around and the money that's been put on table 67 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:21,147 Speaker 3: for three six it's enough to get retired players out 68 00:03:21,147 --> 00:03:25,547 Speaker 3: of here. It's made it. It's not too bad. Yeah, 69 00:03:25,587 --> 00:03:29,387 Speaker 3: it's certainly the biggest the offers that are coming on 70 00:03:29,427 --> 00:03:33,467 Speaker 3: the table. It's the biggest we've seen in rugby. And 71 00:03:33,467 --> 00:03:35,987 Speaker 3: if they stand behind and that's why they're going to 72 00:03:35,987 --> 00:03:39,027 Speaker 3: be playing players for two or three years, it's it's 73 00:03:39,107 --> 00:03:42,667 Speaker 3: life changing, changing figures in the context of rugby union, 74 00:03:42,707 --> 00:03:43,267 Speaker 3: that's sure. 75 00:03:43,867 --> 00:03:46,347 Speaker 2: So in the in the words of the famous Queen song, 76 00:03:46,587 --> 00:03:48,867 Speaker 2: is this real life or is it just fantasy? What's 77 00:03:48,907 --> 00:03:49,507 Speaker 2: your gut feel? 78 00:03:50,547 --> 00:03:53,307 Speaker 3: Well, the credibility of the people that have been involved. 79 00:03:53,627 --> 00:03:55,587 Speaker 3: You know, they come from a background of one of 80 00:03:55,627 --> 00:03:59,507 Speaker 3: the biggest sports agencies in the world and they've been 81 00:03:59,587 --> 00:04:02,827 Speaker 3: in rugby. Mike Tindall, I mean everyone knows going by 82 00:04:03,107 --> 00:04:06,267 Speaker 3: Tindall as a player and a personally in a figure 83 00:04:06,427 --> 00:04:09,107 Speaker 3: up in the UK. You know, a couple of the 84 00:04:09,107 --> 00:04:12,147 Speaker 3: agents that are involved running this have been around Ruby 85 00:04:12,227 --> 00:04:15,347 Speaker 3: for a long time. So they clearly believe this is 86 00:04:15,387 --> 00:04:18,267 Speaker 3: God merit and they clearly believe they've got the substance 87 00:04:18,307 --> 00:04:20,867 Speaker 3: to pull it off. But I guess it's like all 88 00:04:20,907 --> 00:04:23,267 Speaker 3: good things, and whether you're in sport or whatever. You 89 00:04:23,307 --> 00:04:24,867 Speaker 3: come up with an idea and you're like, this is 90 00:04:24,907 --> 00:04:26,827 Speaker 3: a really good idea. Anyone goes yeah, yeah, it's good. 91 00:04:26,867 --> 00:04:29,267 Speaker 3: And then you say, okay, can we make a business 92 00:04:29,267 --> 00:04:30,867 Speaker 3: case here? And you make a business case and then 93 00:04:30,867 --> 00:04:33,227 Speaker 3: you might get to invest the same year. It's good. Okay, 94 00:04:33,267 --> 00:04:36,147 Speaker 3: well we'll do the plan. And then you do your 95 00:04:36,147 --> 00:04:38,707 Speaker 3: business plan, and you know, investors come along and say, yes, 96 00:04:38,747 --> 00:04:41,547 Speaker 3: we're committed, will investness business planet. You've got to implement 97 00:04:42,227 --> 00:04:45,387 Speaker 3: an implementation. It almost doesn't matter what sort of business 98 00:04:45,467 --> 00:04:48,707 Speaker 3: or thing you're starting up, particularly in sport, that's where 99 00:04:48,707 --> 00:04:51,547 Speaker 3: the rubber hurts the ground, and it's not straightforward and 100 00:04:51,627 --> 00:04:53,947 Speaker 3: it's not easy, and the things that you thought you 101 00:04:53,987 --> 00:04:57,347 Speaker 3: had planned for will almost definitely not pan out that way. 102 00:04:57,467 --> 00:05:00,107 Speaker 3: And I think that's that's what I've always observed these 103 00:05:00,147 --> 00:05:03,587 Speaker 3: private leagues, whether it's in rugby, correct network football, whatever 104 00:05:03,627 --> 00:05:08,507 Speaker 3: it might be, you always met with the unexpected or 105 00:05:08,627 --> 00:05:12,747 Speaker 3: roadblocks that you didn't anticipate. Or in our context of rugby, 106 00:05:13,107 --> 00:05:15,867 Speaker 3: you know, they need wild rugby sign off to be 107 00:05:15,907 --> 00:05:18,787 Speaker 3: able to stage their game unless they want to be 108 00:05:19,027 --> 00:05:22,067 Speaker 3: a so called rebel league. You know, they have said 109 00:05:22,067 --> 00:05:24,507 Speaker 3: that they will release players for international duty. But in 110 00:05:24,547 --> 00:05:26,627 Speaker 3: putting their schedule together, they didn't actually think about the 111 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:29,747 Speaker 3: Southern hemishere internationals. And at the end of the day, 112 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:31,827 Speaker 3: if plays in this league, they won't be able to 113 00:05:31,867 --> 00:05:34,027 Speaker 3: be able to play for the All Blacks or even 114 00:05:34,067 --> 00:05:39,267 Speaker 3: Australia or South African Rugby Championship for example. So there's there. 115 00:05:39,307 --> 00:05:42,627 Speaker 3: They're coming at the implementation phase. They're coming across a 116 00:05:42,667 --> 00:05:45,427 Speaker 3: lot of things I think that they hadn't planned for. 117 00:05:45,907 --> 00:05:48,187 Speaker 3: And so this this is when the rubber hits around, 118 00:05:48,187 --> 00:05:50,867 Speaker 3: and we'll just see whether they'll be able to navigate 119 00:05:50,907 --> 00:05:53,267 Speaker 3: their way through that or around us or smash their 120 00:05:53,267 --> 00:05:55,027 Speaker 3: way through it. I guess it's all going to play 121 00:05:55,027 --> 00:05:55,747 Speaker 3: out in front of us. 122 00:05:55,987 --> 00:05:56,707 Speaker 2: Do you think they will? 123 00:05:58,067 --> 00:06:00,627 Speaker 3: I honestly don't know. Funny, I really don't know. I 124 00:06:00,987 --> 00:06:04,627 Speaker 3: think I don't think it will happen necessarily as quickly 125 00:06:04,707 --> 00:06:06,307 Speaker 3: as they would like it. I think they're going to 126 00:06:06,467 --> 00:06:10,627 Speaker 3: come across a couple of issues that they're going to 127 00:06:10,667 --> 00:06:14,547 Speaker 3: have to eat and take time to resolve or you know, 128 00:06:14,827 --> 00:06:16,467 Speaker 3: I don't imagine the L and R or the end 129 00:06:16,507 --> 00:06:19,187 Speaker 3: of Premiership going to be that happy with complaining tournaments 130 00:06:19,187 --> 00:06:22,627 Speaker 3: in their backyard and in contracting their players. You know 131 00:06:22,667 --> 00:06:25,867 Speaker 3: how the FEF are. Then it's quite a northern hemisphere 132 00:06:25,947 --> 00:06:27,587 Speaker 3: focusing at the moment. You know, how do some of 133 00:06:27,587 --> 00:06:30,987 Speaker 3: those established competitions and unions feel, How do World Rugby 134 00:06:30,987 --> 00:06:32,467 Speaker 3: feel about it? Do they want to put up some 135 00:06:32,507 --> 00:06:34,467 Speaker 3: barriers or are they going to roll out the red carpet? 136 00:06:34,547 --> 00:06:38,507 Speaker 3: It's yeah, I honestly, I can't really give an opinion 137 00:06:38,547 --> 00:06:41,707 Speaker 3: other than say, it's another league that's out there. We're 138 00:06:41,747 --> 00:06:44,667 Speaker 3: taking it seriously, We're engaged with them. The players that 139 00:06:44,707 --> 00:06:47,107 Speaker 3: are receiving offers are taking it seriously and looking at 140 00:06:47,107 --> 00:06:49,787 Speaker 3: it closely. But it's not the first and it won't 141 00:06:49,787 --> 00:06:50,907 Speaker 3: be the last one. 142 00:06:51,427 --> 00:06:53,027 Speaker 2: Great to get your insight, Rob, thanks so much for 143 00:06:53,107 --> 00:06:54,827 Speaker 2: joining us this up that I might really appreciate it. 144 00:06:55,547 --> 00:06:58,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, I not so much help on it. Actually. Imagine 145 00:06:58,627 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 3: if you know, if you're out there thinking about it, 146 00:07:00,427 --> 00:07:02,427 Speaker 3: else that's going to happen and you never learned anything 147 00:07:02,467 --> 00:07:05,467 Speaker 3: there to do. But no, we'll see what happens. And 148 00:07:05,787 --> 00:07:08,947 Speaker 3: the one thing I would say is, you know, fifteen 149 00:07:09,027 --> 00:07:11,467 Speaker 3: twenty years ago, when the stuff was going around, we 150 00:07:11,467 --> 00:07:13,867 Speaker 3: went the probate players to speak, we went as organized 151 00:07:13,907 --> 00:07:16,787 Speaker 3: as we are now. Will we really quite organized. Most 152 00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:19,467 Speaker 3: players have got very compliment agents and people there to 153 00:07:19,507 --> 00:07:22,267 Speaker 3: be able to talk to. We've got real esteps methodologies 154 00:07:22,307 --> 00:07:24,827 Speaker 3: of what you've got to check, and we've got lots 155 00:07:24,867 --> 00:07:27,507 Speaker 3: of avenues where the player and really understand what it 156 00:07:27,587 --> 00:07:29,827 Speaker 3: means to them and their careers and their families and 157 00:07:30,467 --> 00:07:33,227 Speaker 3: things like that. So you know, there's no excuse in 158 00:07:33,587 --> 00:07:36,507 Speaker 3: terms of players out to Emphis. Is good advice, make 159 00:07:36,587 --> 00:07:39,507 Speaker 3: pocisions that work for them, So that's. 160 00:07:39,187 --> 00:07:40,867 Speaker 2: One good thing about it, and they're good to know 161 00:07:40,907 --> 00:07:43,387 Speaker 2: our players are in safe hands again. Thanks Rot, appreciate 162 00:07:43,387 --> 00:07:43,707 Speaker 2: your time. 163 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:45,507 Speaker 3: Take care. She is funny. 164 00:07:45,707 --> 00:07:47,987 Speaker 2: No good on you mate. That's Rob Nicola, chief executive 165 00:07:48,027 --> 00:07:51,387 Speaker 2: officer of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association. It's just 166 00:07:51,427 --> 00:07:54,027 Speaker 2: so interesting to see whether this will go. Like Rob said, 167 00:07:54,067 --> 00:07:56,587 Speaker 2: you know, this isn't the first of these that's come 168 00:07:56,587 --> 00:07:59,987 Speaker 2: across the desk of players and player agents and those 169 00:07:59,987 --> 00:08:04,227 Speaker 2: involved in the Players Association. Look, they always look good 170 00:08:04,667 --> 00:08:07,787 Speaker 2: on a PowerPoint presentation, don't But when the rubber hits 171 00:08:07,827 --> 00:08:10,667 Speaker 2: the road, as Rob said that, that is when we 172 00:08:10,747 --> 00:08:13,787 Speaker 2: get a real idea about it. From what Bruce Sharrick 173 00:08:13,867 --> 00:08:16,667 Speaker 2: was saying, he believes this one to be well advanced. 174 00:08:16,867 --> 00:08:20,347 Speaker 2: Others I think are less sure about it. What is 175 00:08:20,427 --> 00:08:22,147 Speaker 2: sure is that it will be very interesting to see 176 00:08:22,147 --> 00:08:24,307 Speaker 2: how it plays out over the next little one. 177 00:08:24,347 --> 00:08:27,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 178 00:08:27,627 --> 00:08:30,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 179 00:08:30,947 --> 00:08:32,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.