New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol has reflected on a needs-must moment for the sport. 

That follows the move for the five Super Rugby city hubs to consolidate franchise operations with their respective NPC teams from 2028, in a bid to reduce overhead costs. 

The governing body are also aiming to have more school leavers attending academies, something Nichol says is paramount in the current landscape. 

He told Ryan Bridge when kids are coming out of school, they really want to know what they're committing to. 

Nichol says the sporting landscape is competitive – it's not like 15, 20 years ago, people have options. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol has reflected on a needs-must moment for the sport.&nbsp;
That follows the move for the five Super Rugby city hubs to consolidate franchise operations with their respective NPC teams from 2028, in a bid to reduce overhead costs.&nbsp;
The governing body are also aiming to have more school leavers attending academies, something Nichol says is paramount in the current landscape.&nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge when kids are coming out of school, they really want to know what they're committing to.&nbsp;
Nichol says the sporting landscape is competitive – it's not like 15, 20 years ago, people have options.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Rob Nichol: New Zealand Rugby Players' Association CEO on the changes coming to NPC and Super Rugby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/80b81179-54f5-4f78-86d5-b4f2017a7379/transcript