Due to an unprecedented combination of events and opportunities, we enjoyed a remarkable sequence of accomplishments on and off the field, which saw New Zealand rugby deliver on the promises made over several years of strategic planning and preparation.

• The All Blacks winning 11 out of their 12 Tests including a clean sweep of the British and Irish Lions; success in the Philips Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup; and only our second ever Grand Slam.
• A hugely successful DHL New Zealand Lions Series, which ignited rugby fans around New Zealand and around the world -- and which demonstrated the combined event capabilities of the NZRU, our Provincial Unions and municipal and match venue partners.

• Our New Zealand Sevens team again triumphed in the IRB World Sevens Series – maintaining an unbroken six-year hold on the title. Our Black Ferns, New Zealand Maori and Junior All Blacks teams were all unbeaten, while our Under 21 and Under 19 national teams performed creditably at their respective World Championships.
• In the final year of the Rebel Sport Super 12 Competition, the Crusaders secured their fifth title, a remarkable achievement.
• After nearly two years of significant consideration and consultation, the Competitions Review reached its final stage with the announcement of the new Air New Zealand Cup and Division One competitions which are set to start later this year, replacing the Air New Zealand NPC. Invitations were issued to 14 Provinces to participate in the Air New Zealand Cup, including the new Tasman Union, while 12 teams will take part in the new Division One competition. 
• 2005 also saw the conclusion of the new Collective Employment Agreement with our Professional Players. This ground-breaking agreement introduced guaranteed retainers for players and revenue sharing, which has aligned the interests of both the NZRU and our players in a much clearer and closer relationship – a relationship which we believe will serve both parties well and help keep New Zealand’s best players in New Zealand.
• Significant progress was made in the area of Community Rugby, which remains a key focus of the NZRU. The three-year Community Rugby Plan, which was launched in 2004, continues to generate major gains. Total player numbers in 2005 grew by 7 percent.
• 
  

The success of the DHL NZ Lions Series and our broadcasting and sponsorship revenues, coupled with favourable exchange rate hedging, contributed to another record financial result for the NZRU.  A profit of $23.7 million dollars.  

      AND

• Of course, one of the major milestones of the year came on November 17, when the IRB Council awarded the hosting rights for Rugby World Cup 2011 to New Zealand.  New Zealand presented a strong bid based on proven event management success, an unmatched level of government support and the passion of our stadium of four million people.

Given this success it would be easy to miss the more subtle achievements which also added to the success of New Zealand rugby in 2005 and will help prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead, including:

• The creation of player depth in the All Blacks.
• The incredible pulling power of the All Blacks, as witnessed during the historic visit to the birthplace of 1905 All Blacks captain Dave Gallaher in Ireland.
• The patriotism and pride of New Zealanders during the Lions Series and the outstanding Kiwi hospitality shown to visiting Lions fans.
  AND
• The Governance and Management initiatives made by many Provincial Unions throughout the year.

So 2005 was an extraordinary year – and one that everybody involved in New Zealand rugby can take great pride and satisfaction in.

The challenges we face are diverse and include both domestic as well as international risks to the continuing success and development of rugby in general, and New Zealand Rugby in particular.

These challenges and risks include:

-           The Competitions Review: Building on the work of all involved in the Competitions Review, we need to ensure the new domestic competitions – the Air New Zealand Cup and Division One competitions - are a success and deliver the benefits to players, provinces, fans and partners that we believe they can. 

-           New Revenue: The need for the NZRU to tap new sources of revenue which – while maintaining our values – allow us to capitalise on the power of our brands.

-           Provincial Union Boundaries: Recognising that our country has changed markedly since provincial boundaries and Unions were first established, we need to understand the new economic, population and social drivers which are shaping our future and ensure that the organisation and delivery of rugby in New Zealand reflect, rather than resist, these developments – as has been signalled in the draft Provincial Union Funding Review.

-           Infrastructure: We need to continue to work with our municipal, regional and national authorities to ensure that our rugby infrastructure supports our game in a manner that is in keeping with the needs of our communities. This is also very relevant to the requirements around staging a successful Rugby World Cup in 2011.

-           Financial sustainability: As was signalled in both the Competitions Review and the draft Provincial Union Funding Review, financial sustainability is a critical issue and one that needs to be considered with any of the long-term decisions we are making around all of the key initiatives we are involved with.

-           International Relationships: As our Rugby World Cup 2011 Bid demonstrated, international relationships are important to our long-term ambitions. Similarly, the success of New Zealand rugby will always be linked to the wider success and growth of rugby globally. As a result, we must consider the challenges that constrain rugby globally and ensure we are continuing to contribute to the wider growth and development of the game – and also working with our international partners to tackle the challenges which currently face rugby. This includes addressing international competitiveness, revenue equity across nations, player availability and welfare, and the protection and enhancement of the international rugby season.

 
These challenges should not constrain us from acting in the best interests of New Zealand rugby, or from seeking to build on the success achieved in 2005.

But we must continue to set the benchmark ever higher in every respect, and take those steps – painful as they sometimes may be – that will allow New Zealand rugby to continue to develop; and remain able to deliver on its Vision for the Game.

With the risks and challenges come opportunities. There are plenty of them and I believe we are well placed to make the best of them.

An important element of our Vision is that the base of the game at community level is healthy and strong. New Zealand rugby is always more than just Test matches and professional competitions.

It is the whole game.

From the youngest children playing Rippa Rugby – through to those playing at a senior level.

To the people who support the playing and enjoyment of rugby at every level such as club administrators, referees, team managers, teachers, parents, helpers and volunteers who drive the buses and clean the jerseys, and the schools and clubs which support them.

I would like to thank every one of you for your contribution.

I would also like to thank our professional players, coaches, team management, referees, staff and Board of the NZRU. The achievements of 2005 are in large measure a reflection of your skill, loyalty and dedication.

I pay tribute to our Provincial Unions and to the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board which have made a significant and valuable contribution to our game throughout 2005.

I would also like to thank the NZRU’s sponsors for their continued support, especially adidas as the principal partner of the NZRU and the All Blacks, and our broadcasting partners – Sky Television.

Thank you to Air New Zealand, Canon, Coca-Cola, DHL, Ford, MasterCard, Philips, Rebel Sport, Sanitarium, Steinlager, Telecom, Vero and Works Infrastructure. Your support is invaluable.

The support of community rugby by SPARC and the New Zealand Academy of Sport is also greatly appreciated – as is the critical role that the New Zealand Government played in our Bid to host Rugby World Cup, and will continue to play in the partnership that will deliver a successful tournament in 2011.

I would like to recognise the New Zealand media – at every level – the extent and depth of your involvement helps promote and publicise rugby in communities and across the country.

And to all New Zealand rugby fans, who responded so magnificently in support of the All Blacks during 2005, and particularly during the DHL NZ Lions Series, I say well done.

Last year, I concluded by saying that there could be no - us and you - no we and them.

It is all of us. Together.

2005 was proof of the power of our partnership; and the collective strength of our New Zealand game.

As I noted in the Annual Report, 2005 was a year to treasure – a year which proved that, by working closely and cohesively, New Zealand rugby is capable of making – and keeping – big promises.

The year ahead will again be challenging and demanding. However, we have the benefit of knowing what New Zealand rugby is capable of when we are all fully engaged and pushing in the same direction for the same goals.

It is my hope that this unity will underpin work in the year ahead and deliver a new set of achievements which we can all be proud of in one year’s time.

Thank you.