WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson will step down at the end of the year, creating a vacancy in one of the most powerful jobs in New Zealand sport.

Robinson led New Zealand’s national sport for six years, through the difficult period of the pandemic when matches often took place in empty stadiums.

He also has guided the sport's national governing body through difficult financial times. New Zealand Rugby has reported substantial deficits in each of the last three years. Along with many national rugby unions, New Zealand has faced increasing costs in retaining top players.

The almost 20 million New Zealand dollar deficit ($10.2 million) posted by NZR in the last financial year came despite record revenues, reflecting the increasing difficult

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