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NZRU chairman Mike Eagle says rugby "has been living beyond its means for too long" and pleaded for the provinces to balance their books.
Eagle was making his maiden speech at the NZRU's annual meeting in Wellington where the national body posted a $9.4m loss for 2010.
"It is incumbent on each of us in this room to ensure that the rugby organisations we are responsible for do not extend themselves beyond their ability to sustain and support themselves," Eagle said.
"Similarly, we must ensure we are investing in the right areas of our game for long-term benefit."
Having been forced to continue to bail out provinces it appears the national body's patience is wearing thin.
"The NZRU has led negotiations to reduce the salary cap under the collective employment agreement with our players and transferred significant cost from provincial Unions to our books in the past year," Eagle said.
"The new funding review also provides additional funding to most Provincial Unions from this current year.
"We have also offered special assistance to some Franchises and Provincial Unions to navigate extreme difficulty.
"But that help comes with stringent requirements.
It is now urgent that all of our rugby organisations take steps to safeguard the future and ensure their sustainability by managing costs and revenue appropriately.
"We must also take a conservative approach to team and player costs to minimise the risk and potential damage that the current financial crises can do to our game."
Eagle predicted a bright future if that was achieved. He said 2011 with the hosting of the Rugby World Cup provided an opportunity to boost rugby's growth for the next generation.
Read more: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/4...-NZRU-chairman