The All Blacks' "power brokers"

Friday 15 January 2010
Published By:
International Rugby > New Zealand

Part of the appeal of rugby for many fans is that professional players get on with their jobs, rarely demanding the spotlight in the way that many of their round-ball counterparts are prone to do.

But that doesn't mean they can't command some authority when contract negotiations come around and the New Zealand Herald has highlighted some of the "sports power brokers" in the country.

There are three All Blacks on the list of ten, which is headed by national cricket captain Dan Vettori.

But occupying the number two and three spots respectively are Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, with the former a formidable player as well as a dream for advertisers.

"The rugby world's premier underwear salesman packs the heftiest punch in contract talks and at the marketing table," the publication stated.

McCaw's argument, meanwhile, is fairly simple: "When he's not there, the team loses."

However, the current All Black skipper was recently pipped to the post of captain of the decade, with thesilverfern.com choosing Reuben Thorne because of his slightly superior winning record.