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New Zealand\u2019s\xa0rugby provinces\xa0have been warned by the professional players association to brace for a civil war if they vote to approve their own governance change proposal at next week\u2019s\xa0special general meeting.\xa0\xa0

In an explosive move, the New Zealand Rugby Players\u2019 Association (NZRPA) has told the unions it is ready to\xa0break away to form a new and separate entity\xa0to manage the professional game.\xa0

The NZRPA says that if the provinces vote in favour of what is known as Proposal 2 \u2013 a new governance structure that the provinces have developed themselves and one that differs significantly to an alternative blueprint that aligns with the findings of an independent review \u2013 it will withdraw, via its collective employment agreement, the right for New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to govern the game.\xa0

It leaves rugby in an even more uncomfortable position than before, with the game to be divided even further if the NZRPA decides it will no longer allow its players\u2019 image rights to be used by NZR.\xa0

Former All Black Sir John Kirwan told Newstalk ZB\u2019s Mike Hosking that the situation should never have reached this point and that he fears a repeat of the early days of professionalism, where players were split between signing up for official and rebel financial offers.\xa0

\u201cThat will happen again, there will be an absolute split. That\u2019s why I don\u2019t think threatening to leave is the right answer. I understand Rob\u2019s [Nichol, chair of NZRPA] frustration because he has seen this governance review done and now they\u2019re trying to change it, I understand that frustration,\u201d Kirwan said.\xa0

NZRPA boss Rob Nichol. Photo / Dean Purcell\xa0

He said that while rugby faces pressure for participation from other codes like football, there should be a united front among the leaders of the game rather than division.\xa0

Kirwan told Hosking that those with the power to make change are digging in their heels and refusing to relinquish power, despite a review that cost millions telling them that was what was best for rugby.\xa0

\u201cSome of these chairmen, they\u2019re just holding the game a wee bit to ransom. Some of these guys that are fighting, their unions lost $800,000 to a million dollars last year. It\u2019s a broken system at the moment, we need to get back to what\u2019s best for our game,\u201d he said.\xa0

\u201cYou spent millions of dollars on a governance review, that governance review\u2019s come out and now you\u2019re trying to change it. So the problem is power.\xa0

\u201cThe interesting thing for the public is the NPC sides really at the end of the day have a vote, all of them, that can change the direction of the game. What we\u2019re trying to do is speed that up, what the governance review said is we need to have a look at our game, we need to change it we need a different structure.\u201d\xa0

The 63-time All Black said he fears the New Zealand rugby-loving public are growing weary of the continued debate and that it will drive fans away from the game.\xa0

\u201cThe trouble is, with me, I don\u2019t like threats of people leaving and that sort of stuff but our game continues to be split. The saddest thing for me is people don\u2019t give a s*** any more, because they\u2019re just sick of it.\xa0

\u201cRather than having an opinion and being passionate about it, if you just stop caring that\u2019s when our game is in real danger.\u201d\xa0

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