SANZAR appoints new Chief Executive

The three country SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby) joint venture has today appointed experienced rugby administrator Greg Peters as its Chief Executive.

Peters has been Chief Executive of the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby Football Union since 2006, and previously led the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and worked for many years for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRA).

Peters brings significant experience to the role including his time at the helm of the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and his previous work on behalf of SANZAR in the role of Tournament Director and also managing broadcast contract negotiations in 2003 and 2004, while the SANZAR secretariat was managed by the NZRU.

Peters first started with the NZRU in 1998 and held a variety of roles with the organisation over the next eight years before taking charge of the Wellington Rugby Football Union and Hurricanes.

Current SANZAR Chairman Mike Eagle said Peters is a great fit for SANZAR given his previous roles and SANZAR experience, and with his insight as Chief Executive of one of the participating franchises in Super Rugby, stating "SANZAR is in the midst of its largest transformation since its foundation with the expansion to 15 teams and a new conference-based model for Super Rugby, and the inclusion of Argentina from 2012 in a revamped Tri Nations, so itâs a vital time to evolve the off-field structures.

"Greg brings a wealth of relevant experience and is well respected not only in New Zealand but in rugby circles across SANZAR so we believe he is the right person to lead us in this exciting growth phase for rugby in the southern hemisphere."

Peters said he was looking forward to starting in his new role in November, which would give him time to fulfill his responsibilities with Wellington rugby.

He explained "I have really enjoyed my time with Wellington and the Hurricanes and it is always hard to leave a job that has been so rewarding and while there are still goals to achieve.

"However, it's rare to have an opportunity such as this one to lead a major rugby organisation through a significant growth phase.

"I am sure there will be challenges but thatâs what makes sport so compelling, and the strength of the SANZAR alliance and the major competitions speak for themselves. The Tri Nations features the three top-ranked teams in world rugby and we are about to welcome Argentina who finished third in Rugby World Cup 2007. In Super Rugby, we have the worldâs most demanding cross-border provincial rugby competition and that intensity is set to increase with the new conference model, so there is no more exciting time to get involved."

Peters, who will be based in Sydney, will start in his new role on 1st November.