Finance key to Wanganui promotion

Wanganui's clubs and fans will support their team being promoted to a new division one if it is financially viable.

But Wanganui Rugby Union chairman Dave Hoskin hasn't been given enough information to figure that out. Wanganui has had two visits from New Zealand Rugby Union envoy Brent Anderson but won't know anything more until December 10, as will Manawatu.

That's the day the NZRU will reveal its plans, which as they stand are to drop four premier teams and promote two from the Heartland Championship.

Hoskin said he understood that the other promotion contender, Mid-Canterbury, was in the same situation.

He was straight up with clubs this week about the predicament.

"If it won't be financially viable, we won't be putting our hands up," he said.

"We are not going up there to make a financial loss."

He can't go back to his board for a decision until he receives a proposal from the NZRU, and he said there was no certainty about whether four premier teams were going to be dropped.

In the meantime, he's trying to retain his best players and coach Guy Lennox, whom Hoskin understands has had outside approaches. "We've got to get that sorted out."

As it stands, Hoskin says Wanganui is the one team with "nothing to lose". If the proposed revamp falls over, Wanganui is still the best of the Heartland unions and would happily continue there, with all its sponsors staying loyal.

If it is to be promoted, the NZRU will have to pay Wanganui's way.

"They have told us we are the dead certs," Hoskin said.

If Wanganui can afford it, Hoskin feels they would be competitive by the second year in division one. He quoted player payment figures of $15,000 in year one and $20,000 each in the second season.

- © Fairfax NZ News