With Mark Robinson standing down from his post as chief executive of New Zealand Rugby, the national union faces a huge task in finding the right person to lead the game in Aotearoa into the future.
Amid the changing face of professional sport, rugby needs a leader to balance thecommercial and competitive needs of the game. After another year of a financial shortfall, New Zealand Rugby needs a steady hand at the tiller.
Robinson will leave at the end of 2025, but the organisation itself cannot waste a second in its recruitment of his successor.
Here’s who could find themselves in the running to step up to one of the biggest jobs in Kiwi sport.
Far and away the standout name available. Like Robinson, Foran has resigned from his current job, and will step away from the national carrier at the end of 2025.
Now more than ever, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is a business first and foremost. Any sporting decisions can be delegated to those lower down the organisation, allowing Foran to focus solely on the commercial side of the job.
Greg Foran leaves Air New Zealand later this year. Photo / Michael Craig
Yes, knowledge of rugby would be preferable for whoever steps in to replace Robinson. However, Foran did well to steer Air New Zealand through Covid, despite having never flown a plane before.
Would likely need to take a pay cut if he was interested in the job, though.
Sophie Moloney
Currently with: Sky, CEO
Like any sport, one of the most important aspects of NZR lies in its relationship with broadcasters.
While Moloney would be lacking in terms of out-and-out rugby experience, her knowledge of the broadcast media landscape would prove invaluable for NZR.
Sky TV CEO Sophie Maloney. Photo / Alex Burton
Also known to be a huge lover of sport, making a role with the national game a tantalising prospect.
Has also done very well to help maintain Sky’s share price amid a challenging media landscape for advertisers.
Cameron George
Currently with: New Zealand Warriors, CEO
Since their return to New Zealand in 2023, the Warriors have arguably been the sporting success story of the past few years.
Results on the field have helped, but the Warriors also sold out every home game in 2024 – when they finished 13th.
Across the sporting and commercial sides of the business, it’s hard to think of anything over the past three seasons that hasn’t been a success.
Whether or not George would want to leave at a time where the Warriors are on such an upward trajectory, though, is another story.
Rob Nichol
Currently with: New Zealand Rugby Players Association, CEO
As head of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, Nichol is already well versed in the state of the game in Aotearoa.
For years, Nichol has acted on behalf of the players. And while it would be a significant change to move into looking after the entirety of the sport, Nichol is the type of character to make that step up.
Rob Nichol has already worked closely with David Kirk. Photo / Dean Purcell
Has been a vocal critic of the NZR governance struggles of the last few years, so would have to mend bridges on that front.
Nichol already holds a notable amount of power within rugby in New Zealand and boasts a healthy relationship with board chair David Kirk.
Having the chair and chief executive on the same page would go a long way towards stabilising NZR in such a time of significant change.
Colin Mansbridge
Currently with: the Crusaders, CEO
If the relationship between the All Blacks coach and NZR’s CEO holds any sort of importance, Mansbridge might find himself as a quiet contender.
While the role of CEO encompasses far more than just the All Blacks, Mansbridge’s relationship with head coach Scott Robertson would see the relevant parties, mostly, operating on the same page.
For years, the Crusaders have been pillars of excellence in Super Rugby, helped by the fact Robertson turned the side from serial winners into an all-conquering force.
His role as a proponent in getting Christchurch’s Te Kaha Stadium across the line shows Mansbridge’s ability to engage with like-minded people and interests, while also overseeing the Crusaders’ reign at Apollo Projects Stadium.
There would be more than one contender currently operating at the five Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific clubs, but Mansbridge should be at the front of the queue – if that’s where NZR looks.
Nick Becker
Currently with: Auckland FC, CEO
Admittedly with just one season of being a chief executive in a New Zealand sporting side, everything Becker has touched in 2024/25 has turned to gold.
The Black Knights’ rise from expansion club to title contenders in less than a year is no fluke. Yes, being bankrolled by American billionaire Bill Foley has helped – but there are plenty of examples within football of money not being the answer to every problem.
Auckland FC have very quickly become the talk of not just Auckland but the A-League, given their ability to turn a match day into an experience for fans young and old. Their management, led by Becker, deserves credit for that.
Nick Becker has tasted success in his first season as CEO of Auckland FC. Photo / Photosport
Becker might not boast much experience in administration within New Zealand, but boasts lead marketing roles at football super-club Manchester City and sister outfit Melbourne City on his CV.
Like Cameron George, though, would he really want to leave at a time when his current side are so poised for success?
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.
