http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5864771/All-Blacks-beat-France-now-NZRU-joins-them All Blacks beat France, now NZRU joins them We took their cup, and now we're taking their money. The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has announced it will open an offshore office in Paris focused on securing sponsorship for the All Blacks. A joint venture between the NZRU and Avenport Investment Group, the office aims to attract new sponsors and other potential commercial partners in the lucrative French market. The move comes just days after the All Blacks beat France 8-7 in the Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park. "We see this as the next step for the All Blacks brand if we want to be seen to take this market seriously," said NZRU chief executive Steve Tew. "France is the biggest market for the All Blacks outside of New Zealand. Their rugby fans are big supporters of the team." Tew said that while overseas sponsorship agencies had been working for the NZRU for several years, this was the first office presence offshore. Avenport Investment Group chairman Eric Series said his company would bring local expertise in the French market as well as a network of business connections. "We want to build on the existing partnership we have with the All Blacks and assist the NZRU with commercial opportunities in this part of the world." Avenport Investment Group recently helped the NZRU raise NZ$90,000 for the Canterbury earthquake appeal fund through an auction in Paris of rugby memorabilia.
I agree, but there isn't the interest in our market yet. Having said that I thought that having KR as our Chairman was going to bring perks via the NZRU. What ever happened to the MOU with the NZRU? A few coaching clinics and it just fizzled out.