@taniwharugby said in NPC 2023:

@Chris been on the agenda for over a decade really, NPC is the red-headed step child of NZR.

Mark Robinson gives me the creeps. He is one of those MBA guys who wants to free market everything. Everything he has touched so far has turned to mud. I should wait to see what they propose but he gives me as much confidence as a Reserve Bank economist.

The NPC has been the layer that made NZ rugby what it is. Just because all the players and coaches get a free ride (no transfer fees) and Corporations / Millionaires want to throw money at individuals, the NPC is no longer fit for purpose. Corporate speak. We will never compete on money alone.

If the NZRFU wanted to make it its NRL competition it would fly. Not in money terms but in rules to make it a competition and in reinforcing its role to NZ rugby but they don’t. Sky sports broadcast the games but neither the NZRFU or the broadcaster do any real promotion. The commentators often don’t know the players and make meaningless comments. The lack of care and attention shows. The Breakdown gives it no attention - yet Grassroots rugby does its job well for club rugby.

The Silver Fern

kev