All Blacks coach Ian Foster has confirmed that he will be taking a pay cut as New Zealand Rugby looks to limit the financial blow of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sporting bodies around the world have attempted to limit the economic impact of Covid-19 by cutting costs where they can, including coach and player salaries.

It appears that NZ Rugby is doing the same as Foster confirmed to Newstalk ZB‘s Martin Devlin that he had agreed to take a pay cut and that players were also willing to do the same.

‘Our coaching group has definitely taken a big cut,’ Foster said. ‘It’s already been agreed to – with rugby, when there’s no games there’s no revenue, and that’s a tough thing. There’s been a lot of shaving of the programmes, and what it’s also come down to is cutting salaries. That’s happened for some and happening for others.

‘It’s a different sort of process for players but I know that they’re willing to go into that space, too. As we go through the next few days, that will be finalised.

‘It’s a given – they understand that – it’s just a matter of working it through so all the different levels of players are dealt with fairly. I haven’t had one player yet who doesn’t know it’s going to happen or doesn’t accept that it’s going to happen.

‘There’s a real willingness of those involved in the game to get behind to do whatever it takes to make sure it survives.’

The confirmation comes after a few players – including hooker Dane Coles – spoke candidly about being willing to limit their pay for the greater good of the game.

‘You don’t want New Zealand Rugby to go under, it would be a bad thing,’ Coles said earlier this week. ‘So, hopefully the rugby players around New Zealand can do their part.’

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