The outgoing boss of the country's most successful Super Rugby franchise has added his voice to calls for the government to consider providing the All Blacks with funding to keep its top players.
Hamish Riach has been a big part of that success, having been CEO of the franchise for the last 17 years, but this week he hung up his boots to take on a new council job.
He leaves the job with the club's finances in the black, but acknowledges the business side of rugby is not easy, especially given the fickle crowds of late.
"We are very conscious of crowds this year," he said.
"The crowds have not been easy across the game."
The other big issue in Riach's eyes is a hot topic at the moment - player retention.
"The money they get paid overseas is eye-watering compared to what they get paid here.
"We know you can't really compete on the money – particularly with France, England and Japan, so what you compete on is everything else."
Last month, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen suggested after the second Bledisloe Cup Test that taxpayer funding is going to be needed to keep key players from being lured offshore.
Riach says a debate is needed.
"As national icons, as brand ambassadors for this country, it’s not wrong to have a conversation to how the government might support that given all the other things the government support."
The All Blacks posted a record profit this year of $33 million, thanks in large part to the Lions Tour last year.
But Taxpayers Union’s executive director Jordan Williams says most Kiwis are paid a fraction of what an All Black gets and they don't need more state help.
"Taxpayers already support the code, the rugby, ratepayers help with teams," he said.
"They are already doing very well, asking for more funds is not appropriate."
The Government is also not keen on the idea, meaning for now teams like the Crusaders and All Blacks will need to keep on relying on things like love of the jersey, not money, to keep top players here.
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