NZ Cup could face changes

10 Dec 2009

The NZRU will meet with all 14 provinces on Thursday to discuss the future of domestic rugby in New Zealand.

In July, the NZRU announced they would cut four teams from the NZ Cup to create a 10-team competition for financial and planning reasons (there is only a 12-week window available).

These four teams would then join the Heartland Unions to make a second tier competition, and a promotion-relegation system would be adopted, something similar to the Currie Cup.

All 14 unions have been working on theirs cases on why they should be in the new premier tournament. The criteria the NZRU will use to assess the unions include population figures, player development, on-field performance, financial stability and community rugby programmes.

However, it has been reported that the NZRU could go against this decision.

Northland, Counties-Manukau, Tasman and Manawatu are the sides considered to face the axe, but have made it clear they would take legal action if this follows through.

It was also suggested that two pools could be created to accommodate all the unions, and the top teams in each pool can compete in the play-offs, but then time would be an issue.

The decision will only be made public on Friday.



5 Comments

  • 1.Delek: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2009, 11:00 am

    I guess rugby in NZ will always be strong.

    However soccer is gaining in popularity rapidly. First the All Whites qualified for the world cup. Then today Auckland City won 2-0 against one of the Asian champion clubs at the World Club championships. And the Wellington Phoenix are doing rather well in the Aussie football league. It’s been an amazing couple of months for NZ soccer and player numbers at junior level are going through the roof.

  • 2.Delek: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2009, 11:01 am

    Oh and dragons by the way………..

  • 3.I wanna be coach: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2009, 12:18 pm

    It would be really harsh if Northland and Tasman got the axe! Even Manawatu. But strength vs strength is the way to go.

  • 4.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    10 Dec 2009, 14:54 pm

    During that infamous 1981 Springbok tour, Manawatu was the Division 1 champion province.

  • 5.Kiwisamoan: Reply to this comment
    11 Dec 2009, 00:30 am

    They’ve jus anounanced there will be no change. So its great, this years comp was very entertaining and the fans got right behind it.

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