Another New Zealand Rugby heavy hitter is leaving the organisation.
The departure of long-serving professional rugby manager Chris Lendrum follows the exits of chief executive and high performance boss Mike Anthony, while there is still no All Blacks coach following the shock sacking of Scott Robertson.
Lendrum is stepping down after 20 years at the national union and his departure will lead to a rejig of the NZR structure.
A new high performance director role will be established to oversee national team performance — including the All Blacks — while a chief rugby officer role will be created to lead operations and delivery.
Lendrum will finish in May but stay on in a consultant role with some professional rugby projects until the end of the year.
He has served on the NZR executive since 2020 with responsibility for men’s and women’s high performance, national tournaments and competitions, professional player management and Super Rugby clubs.
"It’s been a huge privilege to be involved in New Zealand Rugby and our national teams for this long, and work alongside some incredible people across the game," Lendrum said.
"Together, we’ve seen plenty of success, although sometimes we haven’t achieved goals that we and the country all wanted so dearly.
"As international rugby becomes increasingly competitive and complex, NZR now requires a singular focus on driving the success of our teams in black. I’m excited for their future."
Interim NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster paid tribute to Lendrum’s long-standing contribution to the game.
Lendrum had "grown into an internationally respected sporting leader and has made an enormous contribution to rugby in New Zealand", Lancaster said.
"Chris has led with integrity and a deep care for the game and our people. He leaves with our sincere thanks and best wishes."
Lancaster will assume the chief rugby officer role, which oversees all professional and community rugby, once a new chief executive has been appointed.
The high performance director role will focus solely on the performance of national teams. — Allied Media
