Scotty & Izzy: Rugby in New Zealand needs to grow up

It's time for NZ Rugby to take a long hard look at itself and its treatment of it's fellow Southern Hemisphere cohorts.

That's the opinion of SENZ's Scotty & Izzy, who have taken exception with the way NZR has failed to work alongside the likes of South Africa and Australia rugby, which has ultimately seen the product in this country - and especially across the ditch - drop both on-field and in terms of popularity.

Co-host Scotty Stevenson points to the recent news of the four-yearly tours between New Zealand and South Africa as a prime example of NZR backtracking, after deciding it no longer needed the South African teams in Super Rugby, a decision he believes was - even at the time - clearly the wrong one to make.

The new initiative now raises questions about where that leaves Australian and Argentine rugby when these tours roll around, and further highlights the massive misstep of parting ways with the South Africans.

"Australian rugby is the one that keeps popping up as a little bit of a nightmare but the whole ecosystem here in the southern hemisphere, where does this go?" Stevenson questioned.

"It feels like New Zealand has come crawling back after blowing up Super Rugby. Some of us, at the time, thought it was folly and many people now are waking up to the fact that this was just the dumbest - getting rid of the South Africans out of Super Rugby.

"But where now do we turn to with Australia? Australian Rugby's in a shambles. We treat them badly. You cannot treat your closest ally as badly as New Zealand Rugby has treated Australian rugby. You can't do it, especially when you've got no other friends in the world."

Australian Rugby is rapidly nearing crisis mode, with suggestions it may withdraw from Super Rugby, in favour of its own domestic competition, a move that would blow up Super Rugby as we know it.

Unfortunately, it seems the reality of the situation is that there's very little cash to help support any such lifeline, Stevenson adds.

"There's no financial clout in rugby union to get Australia out of its financial hole. Where is the money in the game?

"If this game was so good, if it was so well run, if the competition was so compelling to the viewers and the broadcasters, where is the surplus of cash?"

The gulf in popularity between rugby league and rugby union has never been wider, and the NRL's massive recent broadcast deal worth over $400 million is testament to that.

Stevenson notes it allows the bosses to ensure the competition continues to thrive - a luxury rugby hasn't enjoyed for some time.

"Look at the surpluses the NRL are bringing in every year. Look at their broadcast deal in Australia. Look at the way they feed back to the clubs. Look at the salary caps. Look at the continued commitment and connection with the club game and the grassroots game. You know, they've got everything that rugby thought it had for 100 years and now doesn't.

"So, when you have a look at Australia's travails and problems, you start saying to yourself, you know, we would love to be able to help out here. The southern hemisphere could stick together to be a block to actually build together, to reap the rewards of operating as a team."

"But when it boils down, there's no money there to help anyone."

Listen to the full 'Deep Dive' below: