New Zealand Rugby merges Super Rugby and NPC operations from 2028 to close $20m deficit

New Zealand Rugby will consolidate its Super Rugby and NPC operations under a unified structure from 2028, the governing body confirmed, as it moves to address a structural deficit of approximately $20 million NZD per year by reducing spending by five per cent.

The restructure preserves all 19 teams across both competitions, ending a period of uncertainty that followed the public disclosure of NZR’s financial difficulties. Beyond cost-cutting, the organisation says the changes are designed to simplify player pathways from community level through to the All Blacks, free up resources to better promote the NPC, and strengthen protections for talent developing through regional unions.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster framed the move as one made from a position of stability rather than crisis. “We are making changes to our game from a position of strength, and we have two men’s competitions that support the All Blacks to win, excite fans and players and, with these changes, can be financially successful,” he said.

Super Rugby will operate with greater independence under the new model, though NZR stressed it intends to work closely with Rugby Australia and the competition’s other stakeholders. Lancaster signalled openness to structural reforms across the competition, including player movement rules, a competition-wide salary cap, and the centralisation of commercial assets across key markets — all of which will require negotiation with Rugby Australia, the Rugby Players Association, and the Super Rugby clubs.

“We know it’s a great product on the field and it now needs to generate the level of attendance and revenue that it warrants,” Lancaster added.

NZR High Performance Director Don Tricker backed the changes on the basis of their potential benefit to the All Blacks’ talent pipeline. “One of the most important factors in developing players the All Blacks want to select is having competitions that excite players and energise our fans,” he said. “For 30 years, Super Rugby has proven to be a great competition” in meeting that goal.

How aligned Rugby Australia and the broader stakeholder group are with NZR’s vision for a more commercially ambitious Super Rugby remains to be seen, and those conversations are now set to begin in earnest.