Opinion: At least attempt to show the NPC some love
“This is how tone deaf NZ Rugby is, you’ve got the Bunnings NPC currently running, no promotion what’s so ever from the so-called Kaitiaki of the game, they put this up."
On the face it, it was a harmless social media meme. The amount of attention I’m about to give it is probably unwarranted.
But let’s at least use it to ponder a question.
Was the below social media offering a case of NZ Rugby not reading the room properly? Is it just another example of those at New Zealand Rugby HQ showing the provincial game little to no love?
At the weekend an official All Blacks social media account - in a roundabout way - suggested a state of rugby boredom because there was no All Blacks game to watch.
It didn’t take long before New Zealand Rugby officials were called out by social media punters who suggested the NPC had fast become an afterthought to those at NZ Rugby.
“This is how tone deaf NZ Rugby is, you’ve got the Bunnings NPC currently running, no promotion what’s so ever from the so-called Kaitiaki of the game, they put this up,” one commenter responded.
Another said: “As people have rightly commented. What about the NPC?? Bit of a L from NZ Rugby.”
Followed by: “It’s hilarious how the NPC is ignored by its own governing body.”
And then: “NPC/FPC are irreverent according to NZR… No wonder rugby is dying a slow death.”
It went on, but I’ll stop there. Yes, it might have been an overreaction.
But the timing of this social media post was far from ideal.
At the same time New Zealand Rugby, through the All Blacks, was lamenting the lack of rugby at the weekend, its chief executive Mark Robinson went public with his concerns about the NPC.
Robinson stated NPC crowd numbers had been a concern for a number of years, the competition is not sustainable, and it is now “not fit for purpose”.
We’ll return to that “not fit for purpose” comment later.
It’s hard to dismiss those concerns around overall crowd numbers and general interest in the NPC, particularly in the five provinces based in Super Rugby cities.
The once bright spotlight that hovered over the NPC has dimmed. Many traditional media outlets largely ignore the NPC now.
Games are often played in massive stadiums with just a scattering of people.
But the question that needs to be asked is, can New Zealand Rugby, hand on heart, say they have done everything it can to promote the competition and attract interest?
Or is the NPC’s expected death, as a semi-professional national competition, viewed as a way to ease some headaches while working through a congested playing calendar?
Has the NPC simply become a nuisance for some rugby administrators?
Back to that “not fit for purpose” comment made by Robinson.
The problem is, what is the NPC’s actual purpose? That’s the first question that needs to be addressed before moving forward because it seems everyone has differing opinions.
Some will view it as a development competition, others as a standalone genuine national competition.
I say it again, disregard a competition that reaches most parts of New Zealand at your peril.
There’s an oversupply of rugby in places like Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin etc, while cities outside the five Super Rugby bases are being plunged further into rugby’s darkness.
As those in the big five cities wipe their mouths with napkins while declaring, ‘no more, I’m full’, the rest of the country feeds off New Zealand Rugby’s crumbs, in terms of a rugby experience with some sort of profile attached.
Furthering watering down the NPC will further disengage potential and current rugby followers in regional New Zealand.
Rugby needs a meaningful national competition that reaches all parts of the country, not just five cities.
Taranaki coach Neil Barnes is a refreshing rarity in New Zealand rugby these days. He’s a person that is willing to speak his mind. He avoids the nauseating diplomatic speak we often get.
Barnes, who has previously worked with the Chiefs, was interviewed by Martin Devlin on The Platform this week and asked about his thoughts on Robinson’s comments.
“I 100% don’t agree with the [comment] NPC is not fit for purpose. NPC is there as the semi-professional environment that sits between club and professional rugby.
“I don’t know what part people are implying that it is not fit for purpose.”
“[NPC] is absolutely essential. I would never have had the chance to grow as a coach [without NPC].
“Nowadays there are all these players coming out of professional rugby environments and internationals that are walking straight into Super Rugby [coaching]. Mate, they’ve got no core or base to work from.
“Yes, they might technically know bits about the game but you’re handling a large group of people, different personalities, and to get them all on board and pointed in the same direction, it takes time to develop.”
With all that said, how about just trying to show the NPC some love for a bit?
At the very least, through your All Blacks social media account, encourage people to have a look at some NPC games.
I couldn't agree more, well said Logan
They must work to keep the public engaged and young people thinking rugby is an option. I personally would like to see more day games and make it free to take children. It is a pyramid scheme that works if you engage at the grass roots.