waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
July Series doesn't have a sponsor: RadioNZ reporting that NZR are in discussions with Lion Nathan wrt whether Steinlager will be staying on.
The Grinch has come early for New Zealand’s elite rugby players after many were informed they must return their sponsored vehicles as Ford’s longstanding partnership prepares to end.
In a move that has sent ripples through the professional playing ranks, Ford’s 30-year sponsorship of New Zealand rugby will end on January 31 after the parties could not reach a new agreement.
While in recent years Ford’s partnership has been watered down from its heyday of prime naming-rights sponsor, the company this year provided New Zealand Rugby with a fleet of about 80 vehicles for their high-profile players and coaches. Those vehicles were generally turned over once each year.
The Herald understands that every player named in Scott Robertson’s 36-man All Blacks Rugby Championship squad received a Ford vehicle to use for the year.
This agreement extended to All Blacks coaches as well as the five New Zealand Super Rugby head coaches – and five NZ Rugby contracted assistants. Some NZ Rugby staff also had the use of sponsored vehicles.
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That partnership drawing to a close has, however, caught many All Blacks by surprise and caused angst among some who did not envision having to return their vehicles in the new year.
Gonna have a tough time collecting Sevu Reece's though...
ASB Rugby Award Nominees are
And the winners were:
New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year nominees
Ben O’Keeffe WINNER
Maggie Cogger-Orr
James Doleman
RMo won't be back in Black this year:
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Exclusive: Blow for All Blacks as Mo’unga decides to stay in Japan
In-demand first-five Richie Mo'unga was in talks with NZ Rugby about an early return this year but they have fallen through, writes Patrick McKendry.www.1news.co.nz
I hear the Crusaders new captain has played a bit of 10...