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New Zealand rugby is facing a potential ‘civil war’ after the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) sent an ‘extraordinary letter’ to the governing body in which they threatened to kick the body into touch and start their own.

A letter, signed by several All Blacks past and present, has been sent to the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) members ahead of a vote at a special general meeting on May 30.

The letter relates to a proposal by some provincial unions following a review into the NZR after a NZ$200m (R2.2 billion) deal with Silver Lake was accepted. A condition of that agreement was for a review to be set up, delving into the governance of the NZR.

The outcome was particularly bad for the governing body, with it being described as ‘not fit for purpose.’ As a result, sweeping changes were recommended, but since then some provincial unions have come back with a counter-offer, which the players have deemed unacceptable.

The players’ letter threatened, “Should Proposal 2 [put forward by some provincial unions] be adopted, or the status quo prevails, the professional players will no longer pass to NZRU, via a collective employment agreement, the right to govern the professional game”.

“A new body will be established to govern the professional game in New Zealand. Directors appointed by the professional players will represent the players on this body and on other bodies such as NZRC [New Zealand Rugby Commercial].

“NZRU will make appointments to this new body, as will, likely NZRC. Super Rugby clubs will be represented and tangata whenua will of course be inherent.”

Big names such as Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan and David Kirk, and Blacks Ferns stars Sarah Hirini and Ruby Tui, were among those to sign the letter.

“This new body, for example called ‘The Professional Rugby Tribunal’, will govern, in some sort of partnership with NZRU, the sale of media rights, the contracting of sponsors, the revenue share model, international and national competitions, the high-performance programmes and development pathways and any other activity that impacts the careers, safety, remuneration, workplace and development of professional players.”