Wellington (AFP)

New Zealand rugby will launch its self-examination, its leaders announced Friday, acknowledging that the national sport was under pressure after the All Blacks' World Cup defeat and downsizing in small clubs.

The five main clubs of the "Super Rugby" and 26 local federations announced in a press release this overhaul, intended to put the New Zealand rugby on "a sustainable trajectory of victories during the decade".

"It is time to review the way we play rugby and make sure that it has the resources to succeed over time and win the favor of its supporters and communities at all levels," said New. Zeland Rugby (NZR), which oversees all rugby in New Zealand.

Although rugby is almost a national religion in New Zealand, the position of captain of the All Blacks being considered by many to be the most important position in the country, his star has faded.

This loss of prestige, already significant, was cruelly highlighted in October by the defeat of the All Blacks, triple world champions, in the semifinals of the Rugby World Cup against England (19-7). New Zealand had occasionally lost its number one place in the world, which it had held for a decade.

In Super Rugby, an increasing number of players far enough from the prospect of being selected as All Blacks are attracted to expatriation, signing large contracts in Europe and Japan.

The lower echelon, the provincial championship, previously the ultimate for non-international players, now counts mainly little-known players because of the commitments of the All Blacks and the necessary recovery of injured players.

At the local level, if the number of women increases, the number of male redundant workers, particularly in the 13-20 year age group, decreases.

For the New Zealand rugby boss, the structures and organization of the sport have served him well for over 125 years, but it is time to see how they could now help him prosper in a rapidly changing world. .

"Rugby is under pressure in many parts of the game, from the involvement of people to the loyalty of supporters, including the ability to keep talent in the country and an increasingly difficult financial situation", did he declare.

New Zealand rugby has already announced changes in the rules for young people, for example by authorizing games with reduced numbers (up to ten players) if it is impossible to bring together fifteen as is the rule, or unlimited changes.

© 2020 AFP