Rugby: Players do nicely, thank you, under collective deal

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The New Zealand Rugby Union and Players' Association yesterday signed off on the collective agreement that sets out the terms of employment for the country's top rugby players through to the end of 2012.

Included in the terms are: a $100,000 bonus for World Cup squad members should they lift the Webb Ellis Trophy and $35,000 if they lose the final; a fee of $1000 a day for players involved in commercial photo shoots, filming or recording sessions; a 4 per cent rise to 36 per cent of all NZRU-generated revenue to be paid into the Player Payment Pool, and 36 per cent of all Super franchise revenue above $24 million to be paid into the same pool.

While all that spells good news for the players, the most significant clause is that which states the NZRU has no right to assign any player image rights to Rugby World Cup Ltd or the International Rugby Board, opening the way for the players to negotiate fees for those rights, or open dialogue regarding revenue sharing, before the World Cup.

"If they want those image rights, they [RWC Ltd or the IRB] will have to come and get those off the players," NZRPA manager Rob Nichol said. "The NZRU cannot sign off those rights."

Image rights were at the heart of a dispute between the NZRU and Players' Association before the 2003 World Cup, with the national body trying to force the players into signing a participation agreement that gave away those rights.

This clause opens the way for the Players' Association to negotiate directly with RWC Ltd. They have, however, given an undertaking to RWC 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden that they will not threaten strike action.

Most of the terms of the collective had been flagged in advance, such as the restructuring of the ITM Cup in 2011 to two divisions of seven teams each.

Super rugby will expand to 15 teams across three conferences next season. The five New Zealand franchises will contract a squad of 28 players before a draft that will grow the squads to a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 32.

The 28 contracted players will be on a minimum Super rugby retainer of $70,000 - up from $65,000 - and maximum of $180,000 (though that can be topped up by a separate NZRU retainer. Draft players will receive a minimum $60,000 retainer.

Hidden away in the fine print is a clause that states players will be able to maintain social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. They will, however, no longer be able to use the "it-was-only-intended-for-my-friends" excuse if they make controversial comments outside the parameters of their employment contract.

All comments on these sites will now be considered public statements.

The collective agreement was welcomed by the NZRU's general manager for professional rugby, Neil Sorensen.

"It has taken significant work to get here but there has been tremendous goodwill and effort by all those involved.

"Today marks the culmination of that work from players, the NZRPA, provincial unions, franchises and the NZRU," he said.

"We are confident it will provide a basis for the sustainability of professional rugby at all levels of the game."

PLAYERS WIN

* The All Blacks will each receive a World Cup-winning bonus of $100,000.
* Players will be paid $1000 a day to attend photo shoots, filming or recording sessions.
* The percentage of NZRU-generated revenue siphoned to the player payment pool will increase from 32 to 36 per cent.
* Players will be contracted to Super rugby franchises for retainers of up to $180,000, which can be topped up by an NZRU retainer with no maximum limit.
* Players can maintain social media sites such as Facebook but can be sanctioned for comments.