A new rugby rich list shows that up to 23 New Zealanders involved with the game are millionaires - but Jonah Lomu is the only current player in the top 10 for wealth.
The list, published today in NZ Rugby World, ranks Lomu the third- richest rugby personality with an estimated
$3 million left after a costly divorce from wife Tanya.
It scotches rumours that the big winger scored $10 million for his contract with sports firm adidas.
Lomu's fortune pales beside the $20 million of Saatchi chief Kevin Roberts, a former Rugby Union director, although it is close to the $4 million of ex-All Black-turned-celebrity-manager Andy Haden.
Others in the top 10 are Bernie McCahill, Sir Brian Lochore, Zinzan Brooke, Sean Fitzpatrick, Va'aiga Tuigamala, Graham Henry and Sir Wilson Whineray, with fortunes ranging from $1.6 million (Henry and Sir Wilson) to $3 million (McCahill). The list was compiled by Auckland financial communications expert David McEwen and cost a fortune to research, says the magazine's managing director, Tim Connell.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the position of McCahill at number four. The list said McCahill owned a lot of property in Auckland and was helped by his father, Barney, whose wealth is estimated at $35 million.
Sir Wilson, a legendary All Black captain in the 1960s, said yesterday that the list was interesting but "a bit of a nonsense, really, because these guys are just guessing at best."
Of his placing at number 10 in the list, he said: "I'm surprised in the sense that I didn't think I was that interesting to anyone. I only earned 10 bob a day when I played."
Sir Wilson is said to have made his money after he stopped playing, including a stint as the chairman of forestry giant Carter Holt Harvey.
Others have benefited from their rugby profiles.
Fitzpatrick has a three-year contract with the rugby union as an ambassador and advertises carpet.
Television commentator and former All Black Grant Fox said that wearing the black jersey had opened doors for players, but that "once you're inside you have to be pretty sharp to carry on."
