Greg Peters spent 20 years as a top rugby administrator but said that his switch to become CEO of the New Zealand Rugby League was "driven by the 13-man game's unique ability to connect communities," according to David Skipwith of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. His appointment came after the need for "stronger expertise, leadership and commercial capabilities" at NZRL's HQ was uncovered by the review in the wake of '17's "disastrous" World Cup campaign. Peters said that he "can help break the cash-strapped organisation's reliance on cyclical cash injections around the World Cup, and is intent on improving the NZRL's culture, lifting the national game and broadening its appeal at grassroots level." Test matches on home soil are "a priority," Peters insisted, beyond the upcoming one-off mid-year test against England in Denver on June 23. Peters said, "[The game is] not in trouble but you have a World Cup and that funds the next four years. So that's the challenge. You've got to get out of that mentality and have a commercial program that underpins things year in and year out without the reliance on that one big hit every four years" (NZ HERALD, 5/29). STUFF reported Peters previously worked for Wellington Rugby, Super Rugby side Hurricanes, SANZAAR and the Argentinian Rugby Union. He "is at the NZRL to make changes" -- it will not be a "status quo, steady as she goes type organisation now." Peters said that he goes into the job with a focus on culture, community and commercial. Peters: "Without enough milk, you don't have the cream rising to the top, so for us, the community game has to be well funded, supported and administered" (STUFF, 5/29).
MILE HIGH CONTROVERSY: STUFF's David Long reported if this year's Denver test is a failure or there is a serious injury to one of the players, the NZRL "can kiss goodbye to the final two years" of its contract. NZRL Chair Reon Edwards said, "It's always been a three-year view for us. The communication from the clubs over the last couple of days has been no different to what it's been over the last four months from the NRL (National Rugby League) clubs" (STUFF, 5/29). In Auckland, Michael Burgess reported NRL side New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George hopes that "common sense" will result in the "controversial" Denver test shifting from its mid-year spot next season. George said, "At the Warriors we will always be supportive of the international game and that hasn't changed. But this (Denver) is a huge challenge in terms of player welfare and we need to have their best interests at heart. Spending 40 hours on a plane, as well as everything else, in the middle of our season, is a massive issue" (NZ HERALD, 5/29).
