Past ABs get behind campaign

A survey by experienced New Zealand rugby writer Paul Verdon has discovered that Murray Mexted is far from alone among former All Blacks in his championing of the NPC remaining as a 14-team competition.

Mexted, who played 72 matches for the All Blacks and has spent 17 years as a rugby commentator, reportedly ran foul of his bosses at Sky Television for his decision to speak out against the NZRU's decision to cull the competition to 10 teams for next year.

But a survey of 250 former All Blacks has found that 97 per cent also favour the retention of 14 provinces in the championship.

A huge majority want a special general meeting before any NZRU decision to change the format, and most do not want the subject revisited by the NZRU until after the 2011 World Cup. The survey was not sent to current All Blacks.

The NZRU is due to announce a decision on or about December 12.

Verdon describes it as the most momentous decision to be made in 140 years of provincial rivalry.

Here's what some of the ex-All Blacks said when asked: "Do you think the 14-team Air New Zealand Cup competition should be reduced to 10 teams?"

Sir Colin Meads (1957-71 All Black, 133 matches, King Country): No. The NZRU has got to leave it as is. They've given the smaller provinces three or four years to get it right. They're up to speed and now they're going to be sacked. It's wrong!

Ian Kirkpatrick (1967-77 All Black, 113 matches, Canterbury and Poverty Bay-East Coast): No. I favour the retention of the 14 teams. If they don't want to continue in the future, they would put their hand up.

Sam Strachan (1967-70, 1972-73 All Black, 45 matches, Manawatu): No. Relegation would destroy interest in the game locally.

Murray Mexted (1979-85 All Black, 72 matches, Wellington): No! Rugby provincialism is the heart of rugby in New Zealand. Reducing it by one-third is very short-sighted.

Richie Guy (1971-72 All Black, 9 matches, North Auckland; former chairman NZRFU council and NZRFU board, who oversaw the move to professionalism in 1996): No. If "4 million people" are to continue at the top of world rugby, we cannot place people on the scrapheap.

Laurie Mains (1971-76 All Black, 15 matches, Otago; 1992-95 All Black coach): No. All teams have made great contributions this year. New Zealand rugby needs a wide base of top competition to stay strong. Unions need to unite and stand up to the NZRU – even if they have loans from the NZRU.

Grahame Thorne (1967-70 All Black, 39 matches, Auckland): No. Mr Tew's thoughts are warped. OK, the money's important. But so is rugby.

Ian MacRae (1963-64, 1966-70 All Black, 45 matches, Hawke's Bay): No. The NPC provides the strength in numbers for professional rugby.

Terry Lineen (1957-60 All Black, 35 matches, Auckland): No reduction. Why? Because it provides the best rugby to watch!

Rod Ketels (1979-81 All Black, 17 matches, Counties): No. This is the base of the pyramid of our game and it must be fed and nourished, not pruned back and then limiting high-profile games to the main centres.

Bob Scott (1946-47, 1949-50, 1953-54 All Black, 52 matches, Auckland): No. The game belongs to the people, and people go to look at their own provinces and players, not necessarily those of a "manufactured" type of union or franchise. Teams such as Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Bay of Plenty and new Ranfurly Shield holders Southland have been exciting to watch. As for the All Blacks, it is the depth from club and province, from areas remote or otherwise, that has provided much of New Zealand's strength.

Johnny Simpson (1947, 1949-50 All Black, 30 matches, Auckland): No. The more players that are retained in the top division, the better for the game.

Murray Watts (1979-80 All Black, Manawatu): No. It will destroy rugby in those provinces.

H L "Snow" White (1953-55 All Black, 16 matches, Auckland): No. The number of teams in the competition is not the problem.

Jack Hazlett (1966-67 All Black, 12 matches, Southland): No. A reduction in teams would actually lower the numbers of players with chances to go ahead.

Bob Lendrum (1973 All Black, 3 matches, Counties): No. The teams that miss out on the Air NZ Cup would probably lose their talented players.

Bruce Hunter (1970-71 All Black, 10 matches, Otago): No. It is essential that decisions like this are put aside until after the World Cup, when the whole picture may have changed for the better.

Derek Arnold (1963-64 All Black, 15 matches, Canterbury): No. This year's NPC has shown how we must all appreciate just how high are the numbers of avid spectators and supporters at this level.

Dennis Young (1956-58, 1960-64 All Black, 61 matches, Canterbury): No. It would be a disaster for the unions demoted.

Keith Nelson (1962-64 All Black, 18 matches, Auckland): No. All 14 teams must keep competing. It makes for great rivalry.

Gerald Kember (1967, 1970 All Black, 19 matches, Wellington): Yes. Financial constraints, higher standards, season constraints.

Ron Elvidge (1946, 1949-50 All Black, 19 matches, Otago): No. But 12 teams might work somehow.

Brett Harvey (1986 All Black, 1 match, Wairarapa-Bush): Yes. I don't believe 14 teams is sustainable in this competition.

John Callesen (1974-76 All Black, 16 matches, Manawatu): No. Fourteen teams provides a nationwide competition.

Mark Irwin (1955-56, 1958-60 All Black, 25 matches, Otago): No. It would lower the morale of the dropped teams and might have a similar effect elsewhere.

Roy Roper (1949-50 All Black, 5 matches, Taranaki): No. I see the intended reduction to 10 teams as a retrograde step which will result in loss of player numbers, standards and public interest.

Jeff Matheson (1972 All Black, 13 matches, Otago): No. Super 14/15 should be reduced, not the NPC.

Bill Birtwistle (1965, 1967 All Black, 12 matches, Canterbury and Waikato): No. Such a major decision should wait until after the World Cup, when there could also be changes to the rules.

John Hotop (1952, 1955 All Black, 3 matches, Canterbury): No. There is a good balance of provincial teams, and the competition should not be looked at until after the World Cup.

Robin Archer (1955-57 All Black, 12 matches, Otago and Southland): No. Because we need to retain a base of players at this level. A special general meeting should be called if they are going to continue down this avenue of change.

Doug Wilson (1953-54 All Black, Canterbury): No. Keep the Mainland and country provinces involved to foster the game.

Ray Bell (1951-52 All Black, 9 matches, Otago): No. The minor unions have every right to compete at this level.

Tuppy Diack (1959 All Black, Otago): No. Our strength is here. It would reduce numbers and there would be lost opportunities for our players.

Jules Le Lievre (1962-64 All Black, 25 matches, Canterbury): No. The larger unions will dominate the provincial scene.

Neil Wolfe (1961-63, 1968 All Black, Wellington and Taranaki): No. This year has seen a very popular competition.

- The Marlborough Express