Ineos strikes deal with New Zealand Rugby to add All Blacks to sporting stable that includes Formula 1, cycling and football teams

New Zealand Rugby has announced Ineos is to become its official performance partner in a six-year deal beginning in 2022.

The deal sees New Zealand Rugby’s national teams, including the All Blacks and the Black Ferns, join the growing Ineos sporting stable, which is owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

They will join Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Ineos Grenadiers cycling team, Ineos Team UK sailing team, and football clubs OGC Nice and FC Lausanne-Sport in the group.

The teams involved will work together to identify performance gains and advantages that can be shared within the group.

“To partner with Ineos and be part of such a unique and diverse global sports performance group is an exciting new venture,” said New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson.

“We are committed to nurturing the development of rugby over the next six years with Ineos Sport and are looking forward to working alongside some of the best sports teams in the world.”

The Ineos Grenadiers cycling team are managed by British Cycling’s former performance director Sir Dave Brailsford, who became know for his “marginal gains” approach.

The recent ambition of Ineos is perhaps evidenced by their poaching of manager Christophe Galtier for OGC Nice from Lille, with whom he won the French Ligue 1 last season.

“Ineos is involved in high-performance sport all over the world, which is something we have been really impressed with,” said Samuel Whitelock, the All Blacks captain.

“The All Blacks are looking forward to being part of this performance partnership and learning from some of their incredible sporting partnerships as well.”