Quinn Tupaea in action for the All Blacks XV. Photo: ActionPress
The All Blacks XV match with Uruguay, which was scheduled to take place in Montpellier on 16 November, has been forced to move cities. Instead, the match will take place in nearby Béziers, due to an ongoing disagreement between French billionaire Mohed Altrad and Montpellier city officials.
Altrad is owner of the Altrad Group, which is the primary sponsorship partner of NZ Rugby (NZR) and whose logo adorns the front of the All Blacks and other national team jerseys. He also serves as president of French Top 14 club Montpellier Hérault RC, whose home ground of Septeo Stadium was set to host the match.
The ongoing dispute stems from the state of the pitch, which Altrad acknowledged was in "poor condition" in a statement released Wednesday night.
Montpellier's French President Mohed Altrad. Photo: SYLVAIN THOMAS / AFP
"(The city council) abruptly decided to impose unprecedented conditions for this match. They are demanding that the club assume responsibility for the pitch and that it be responsible for its repair if it becomes damaged," he said.
"We all know the pitch is in poor condition, and one more or less match won't change anything. So, would this clause be used to make the club pay for the renovation of a pitch that the city, the stadium's owner, is supposed to restore to good condition?"
Instead of giving in to the city's demands, Altrad said he had reached an agreement to move the match to Raoul-Barrière Stadium in Béziers.
"Béziers simply replied: 'Yes, the stadium is yours.' There was no clause, no ulterior motive. Just rugby, as it should be."
The All Blacks XV played at Septeo Stadium last year, defeating Georgia 31-13.
The All Blacks XV celebrate a try against Georgia. Photo: ActionPress
Altrad has attempted to buy the stadium from the city or move the team, however has been legally prevented from doing either. Instead, Montpellier have resorted to publicly highlighting the substandard state of their home ground on social media and blaming the council.
The match against Uruguay is the third and final fixture for the All Blacks XV, who also face the Barbarians and England A on their tour and whose jerseys will be emblazoned with the Altrad logo. Coach Jamie Joseph named a 30-man squad for the three games, who will all be on standby if required as injury cover for the main All Black tour happening at the same time.
Coach Jamie Joseph. Photo: Sam Bauld
Three years ago, Altrad was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a $100,000 fine after he and Fédération Française de Rugby president Bernard Laporte were found guilty of corruption relating to sponsorship deals with the French national team.
The Altrad deal with NZR, which is not connected to the corruption charges, is believed to be worth around $300 million over six years. The deal included a somewhat vague 'understanding' that players coming off contract with NZR would be encouraged to sign with Montpellier, however that has not resulted in any great numbers as the only Kiwi representation there now is former Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli.
Altrad's eldest son Djena was a guest pitch side DJ at the recent Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park.
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