Photo: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
New Zealand Rugby has no plans to follow in Ireland's footsteps and disband its men's sevens team.
On Thursday, the Ireland Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced the Irish men's sevens team would be dissolved at the end of the 2024/25 season as it seeks to cut costs.
Ireland’s Zac Ward scores against New Zealand. Photo: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan, ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
The Ireland women's sevens programme remains unaffected.
The announcement comes after the IRFU posted a $34 million loss for the 2023/24 season.
However, New Zealand Rugby won't be following suit, despite recording a $19.5 million loss for 2024.
In a statement given to RNZ, New Zealand Rugby said the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens were both set to be included in next season's World Series.
"NZR intends on having our sevens teams participating next season but does recognise that at present there are very real financial challenges being felt by all national unions in doing so."
Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz
The Black Ferns Sevens are coming off another another successful season. They won both the overall World Series league title and the winner-takes-all season finale to be crowned World Series champions.
They won four of the six World Series rounds as well as the final event in LA.
They also defended their Olympic title in Paris last year.
Black Ferns Sevens player Kelsey Teneti. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks Sevens weren't so strong. They finished seventh in the overall standings and failed to finish in the top three in any of the first six rounds, before taking third place at the season finale in Los Angeles, their first podium of the year.
However, it appears they are safe for next season at least.
The IRFU said axing its men's sevens team was "part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability".
The IRFU said an internal review also concluded that the men's sevens programme "does not contribute as a development pathway for the XVs game".
"The financial situation we face is challenging, and it's crucial that we take decisive action to secure the long-term success of Irish Rugby," said IRFU high performance director David Humphreys.
"While the decision to end the men's sevens programme is a difficult one, it is necessary in order to ensure that our resources are focused on the areas that will have the greatest impact on the future of the game in Ireland."
