New Zealand Rugby appoints Chief Rugby Officer

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has today announced the appointment of experienced rugby executive Michael Collins as Chief Rugby Officer. 

A highly-respected sports administrator, Collins is deeply familiar with the New Zealand rugby landscape, having held Chief Executive positions at Taranaki Rugby Union and Gallager Chiefs in Super Rugby. As a player, he played 82 games for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, including a season as captain. At NPC level, he represented Waikato in 73 matches.  

As Chief Rugby Officer, Collins will lead NZR’s professional rugby operations, tournaments and competitions, community rugby, and management of key stakeholder relationships and agreements across the game.  

Collins will also work closely with incoming High Performance Director Don Tricker to ensure that NZR’s high performance system is supported and connected.  

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster said: 

“Mike is a highly regarded leader with a huge amount of experience and success across both community and high-performance rugby. He has a strong and exciting vision that aligns with our all-of-game strategy. 

“This is a critical role for NZR and Mike will lead a connected New Zealand rugby system which maintains a thriving community game and connects the structures that support our professional environments. It's a broad and significant remit, one we know that Mike is committed to and well-equipped to advance." 

Collins will commence in the role in September. He joins NZR from Bond University on Australia’s Gold Coast where he is the current Director of Sport.  

Collins said: 

"It is an honour to be given this opportunity and it’s a role I don't take lightly. I've been lucky enough to see this game from a lot of different angles - as a player in the amateur and professional eras, in game development, in high performance, and leadership positions with the Taranaki Rugby Union and the Gallagher Chiefs.  

“Every one of those experiences has shaped how I think about what New Zealand rugby needs to keep thriving. I'm looking forward to listening, learning quickly, and working with everyone across the game to help us go where we need to go." 

Collins joins the NZR Executive team alongside other recent appointments of Chief Financial Officer Chris Kinraid and Chief Commercial Officer Chris Brown, who both commenced in May, and High Performance Director Don tricker who starts his role in November. NZR is currently in the final stages of recruitment for an Executive-level Kaihautū Māori.  

Michael Collins bio

Michael Collins has spent more than half his life immersed in New Zealand rugby, first as a player, then as a leader.  

Raised in Taranaki, Michael played professionally for the Gallagher Chiefs, debuting in 1997 and captaining the side in 1999. He went on to represent Waikato in 73 games, and the Chiefs in 82 games, before heading north to play for London Irish and Glasgow Warriors.  

When his playing days ended, Michael returned home to Taranaki, becoming the Chief Executive of Taranaki Rugby in 2013, leading the union to a Ranfurly Shield win and an NPC championship in 2014. In 2017, Michael was appointed CEO of the Gallagher Chiefs, steering the club through five Super Rugby seasons, including four finals appearances, and the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

More recently, Michael has been the Director of Sport at Bond University on Australia’s Gold Coast and an independent member of the Super Rugby Pacific Board.