New Zealand Rugby League set to announce Greg Peters as new CEO

Former head of SANZAR and ex-Hurricanes boss Greg Peters is the new CEO of the New Zealand Rugby League. Photo / Getty Images.

Former head of SANZAR and ex-Hurricanes boss Greg Peters is the new CEO of the New Zealand Rugby League.

The Herald understands Peters will be confirmed tomorrow as the man to replace acting CEO and NZRL deputy chair Hugh Martyn, who has occupied the role since former boss Alex Hayton resigned in March.

Peters' appointment gives the NZRL new leadership following a turbulent period in the wake of last year's demoralising Rugby League World Cup and comes after former South Sydney coach Michael Maguire was chosen as the Kiwis new head coach earlier this month.

The move means a switch of codes for the experienced rugby administrator, who returned to New Zealand early last year after serving just over 18 months as the general manager of the Argentine Rugby Union.

Peters previously spent almost five years as the chief executive of SANZAR after four years at the helm of both the Hurricanes Super Rugby Franchise and Wellington Rugby between 2006 and 2010.

He first began working with New Zealand Rugby in 1998 and worked in different capacities at grassroots and amateur level before taking the step up into the professional arena.

While Peters, like Hayton before him, does not have a league background, his varied skills and experience should assist the cash-strapped NZRL.

During his time at SANZAR he also managed broadcast contract negotiations in 2003 and 2004.

He has recently been based in Wellington but will be relocating to Auckland to lead the national 13-man game forward.

His first assignment looms next month with the Kiwis embarking on a trip to Denver to play England in a controversial one-off test on June 23.

The Kiwis will also host the Kangaroos in Auckland at the end of the NRL season on October 13, before playing a three-test series against England and a lone test against France through November.

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