NZ set aside $2 million for Olympics
New Zealand are reportedly setting aside NZ$2 million in a bid to achieve their goal of winning gold medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
The money will be used so that hogh-profile All Blacks like Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam and Cory Jane will be able to commit to New Zealand's Sevens programme without losing out financially.
It is believed that although a definite amount has not been finalised yet, close to $2m is being viewed as a realistic budget.
According to a report in the New Zealand Herald, if players want to withdraw from Super Rugby participation in 2016 - to play Sevens - then the New Zealand Rugby Union will have to pay their salaries and their respective franchises, who must then bring in replacements.
There have been negotiations between the NZRU and the franchises for several months about releasing players for the Olympics.
The NZRU released their four-year vision in 2012 - in which defending their World Cup title, in the 15-man game, and winning two gold medals at the Olympics were their main goals.
Contracted Super Rugby players are unable to play Sevens but this won't be the case in 2016 as the NZRU wants every player, who want to play the abbreviated game, to be available for Olympic selection.
New Zealand could use a horses-for-courses policy where players will be advised to skip the Super Rugby tournament in 2016 depending on their age, profile, skills and Sevens experience.
Others will be able to concentrate on Sevens closer to the Olympics.
Read more: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0%2...7211%2c00.html
