The Harlem Globetrotters Of Rugby

For the last decade the all blacks have looked to play one-off tests offshore to try to make money and also to grow the influence of their brand.

In the last decade the All Blacks have become a travelling roadshow. They have played tests, for significant amounts of cash, in a number of countries where perhaps 10 years ago, no one imagined the All Blacks would end up.

The purpose of these offshore ventures is essentially two-fold. The first component is the short term need to make extra cash.

Rugby economics are still wedded to the amateur model where the host union meets the accommodation costs of their opponent and keeps all the gate income.

Tier One nations are locked into an agreement with World Rugby where they are obliged to play three tests in June and three in November. These tests are scheduled years in advance and are deemed to be the ‘official window’ where clubs are required to release players.

Because these games are deemed to be in the official window, they fall under the traditional financial arrangements.

The system, probably, just about makes sense but the problem for the New Zealand Rugby Union is that they are picking up gate revenue from comparatively small stadia.

The capacity of New Zealand stadia ranges from 17,000 in Christchurch to 48,000 at Eden Park – numbers which are dwarfed by the massive venues in Europe where Twickenham has 83,000 seats, Stade de France, 80,000 and Millennium Stadium in Cardiff 74,000.

The respective unions in Europe have invested in their stadia and accumulated debt to pay for the development so they rightly benefit.

But NZR has looked to work around the existing system by trying to play tests outside the official window where they can strike better financial terms.

NZR is able to command a set fee for playing outside the window as there is no obligation to honour the traditional model. So instead of just having their costs covered, NZR looks to make a significant profit.