Robinson to step down as New Zealand Rugby chief
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson will step down from the role at the end of the year, the governing body said on Monday.
The former All Blacks centre took charge of NZR in January 2020 and helped guide the organisation through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first year of his tenure.
Robinson, who said he would join his family in Australia after stepping down, was confident he was leaving NZR in a strong position.
"My focus now is on supporting the board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England," he said in a statement.
"We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar."
Robinson, who replaced Steve Tew, played nine tests for the All Blacks and finished his playing career in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers.
He then returned to New Zealand as chief executive of the Taranaki Rugby Union in 2007 and was appointed to NZR's board in 2013.
"Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this," NZR chair David Kirk said.
"Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis. We also understand Mark's desire to relocate to Australia where his family are now all living." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
China, Africa ask US to return to 'right track' on trade differences
FILE PHOTO: Shipping containers are seen at the port of Oakland, as trade tensions continued over U.S. tariffs with China, in Oakland, California, U.S., May 12, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo China, Africa ask US to return to 'right track' on trade differences HONG KONG - China and 53 African countries called on nations, especially the United States, to return to the "right track" of resolving trade differences, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. The statement came after China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with African officials in the city of Changsha located in southern Hunan province. The White House, in its April 2 "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, imposed some of the highest tariffs on several African countries. That included levies of up to 50% on goods from Lesotho, 47% for Madagascar, 40% for Mauritius, 38% for Botswana and 31% for South Africa, the continent's biggest exporter to the U.S. The China-Africa statement, made on behalf of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission said it "firmly opposed any party reaching a compromise deal at the expense of the interests of other countries." "We call on all countries, especially the United States, to return to the right track of resolving trade differences through consultation on an equal, respectful and reciprocal basis," the statement said. China is willing to implement zero-tariff measures for the 53 African countries that it has diplomatic relations with, the statement said, apart from Eswatini, the only African country that supports Taiwan. China's relations with African countries have strengthened as its own economy slows and it has emerged as Africa's biggest lender. In recent years, China has stepped up cooperation in areas from agriculture to infrastructure. The continent offers a much needed avenue for Chinese state-owned infrastructure firms struggling for projects as indebted local governments hold off on spending, and as a market for its electric vehicles and solar panels, areas where the U.S. and EU say China has over-capacity. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Australia's Suaalii fit to face the Lions after broken jaw
SYDNEY - Wallabies back Joseph Suaalii said he would be fit to face the British & Irish Lions in July and August after a month-long layoff with a broken jaw. The high profile signing from rugby league has had a disrupted first season in Super Rugby Pacific with injuries severely limiting his time on the pitch. "My face was really big for a bit, I was wearing a face mask everywhere," he told reporters after meeting some real lions at Sydney's Taronga Zoo on Wednesday. "I'll be fully fit. Obviously, had a toe injury, then my jaw and concussion as well. But you know, it's all part of the game. "It's such an important time for myself and Australian rugby and I want to be playing, so obviously I was a little bit of a nerves but ... I had surgery maybe three weeks ago now and looking good going into the Lions." Suaalii said he had lost nearly five kilograms due to the difficulties of eating with a broken jaw but had put it all back on again since. "I've been eating heaps," he said. "Thanks to my mum and my family around me to help me stay on track." The knee of his Wallabies teammate Andrew Kellaway's was the inadvertent cause of the broken jaw and the winger feared at one stage that he might be remembered as the man who ended Suaalii's chances of facing the Lions. "Nobody wants to crash the Ferrari, that's not what anyone wants," Kellaway joked. "He looks alright, he's doing a lot of talking, which is a good sign." Suaalii said he felt he had played enough rugby to compete at the highest level against the Lions, adding that he would be comfortable playing at fullback, on the wing or in the centres. Australia's one warm-up test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 was definitely on his radar, Suaalii said, and he could not wait to tangle with the tourists. "These are the biggest games of my life, I believe," he said. "Some people play it once in your career, and it happens every 12 years." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Slovakia cannot support new EU sanctions against Russia without energy solutions, PM Fico says
FILE PHOTO: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a press conference, as he marks the anniversary of his attempted assassination, at the site of the attack, in Handlova, central Slovakia May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo Slovakia cannot support new EU sanctions against Russia without energy solutions, PM Fico says Slovakia will not back the EU's 18th package of sanctions against Russia unless the European Commission provides a solution to the situation the country faces if the bloc phases out Russian energy as planned, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. The Commission proposed on Tuesday a new round of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, targeting Moscow's energy revenues, its banks and its military industry. Fico has criticised separate European Union plans to phase out Russian gas and other energy imports in the coming years, which the EU executive announced last month, calling them "economic suicide". Hungary, which like Slovakia, continues to rely on Russian gas and oil supplies, and like Slovakia has maintained warm ties with Moscow, has also rejected the plans. EU countries will start debating the sanctions proposals this week, which require unanimity in the bloc for approval. "Slovakia will not support the upcoming 18th sanctions package against Russia unless the European Commission provides it with a real solution to the crisis situation that Slovakia will find itself in after the complete cessation of gas, oil and nuclear fuel supplies from Russia," Fico wrote in a Facebook post late on Tuesday. Slovakia has not blocked any previous sanctions packages. But Fico had said over the weekend Slovakia would block any sanctions that harmed its national interests. The Commission's new sanctions package proposes banning transactions with Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines, as well as banks that engage in sanctions circumvention. The Commission has also proposed lowering the Group of Seven nations' price cap on Russian crude oil to $45 a barrel, from $60 a barrel, to cut Russia's energy revenues. Fico has long opposed sanctions against Russia, saying they harmed Slovakia and the EU more than Moscow. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
