NZ Rugby might be distancing itself from reports the new Nations Championship may be headed for Qatar, but chief executive Mark Robinson admits it is looking for new fanbases.
Robinson won't be drawn on reports Qatar has bid to host the finals of the new competition, as rugby finds itself moving towards the middle eastern haul of sports.
Qatar thrust itself into the sporting spotlight in 2022 and not without controversy, with its human rights record overshadowing the build-up to the Football World Cup.
Rugby could be heading there next, with reports a bid has been made to host the new Nations Championship finals.
"I'm not going to talk about the speculation of this week, but we are always looking at different ways we can connect into different markets," insisted Robinson.
Qatar would certainly fit that criteria. Its bid of more than a billion dollars is reportedly for the first four editions between 2026-32.
While not specifically talking about Qatar, Robinson says rugby must start looking to different markets.
"Given the fact we are a small country and relatively isolated, we think that having stronger connections with other markets in other parts of the world, where there are new fanbases, is really important as well."
Rugby's fanbase here is proving just as fruitful, with Sky revealing Super Rugby Pacific viewership is up 11 perecent on last year, but Robinson knows more needs to be done at games.
"We hope we can get a more dedicated focus around what in-game experience looks like and what fans are after there within our stadiums," he said.
No-one has kept a closer eye on Super Rugby than All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. While all of his coaching group have spent time at all franchises, Robertson's request for his former Crusaders side to play David Havili at first-five has caught attention this week.
"NZ Rugby only sees it as an absolute positive that the All Blacks management team is so invested in all levels of the game, as it relates to high performance," he said. "We think that's fantastic."
That's hardly likely to be top of the list of things for Robinson to mull over, as rugby moves closer to a middle eastern takeover.
