In a week when a stake, albeit small, in New Zealand Rugby looks set to be sold off to a U.S. tech company for NZ$200 million ($130.60 million), however, some are suggesting that the bond is slowly loosening. The All Blacks have been an integral part of the country’s identity since it gained dominion status within the British empire early last century. Named for the iconic team shirt, or perhaps a century-old misprint of the phrase “all backs”, the All Blacks have won more than three quarters of their test matches and three of the nine Rugby World Cups. While those numbers remain reasonably consistent, the number of New Zealand school children playing rugby is falling. The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association, who held a veto, initially pushed back against the deal but assented in February and will have a seat on the board of the new entity.

Source: Daily Nation June 02, 2022 08:59 UTC