Ex-All Blacks back Makos

Former All Blacks are backing the Tasman Makos in their struggle to resist the moves by the New Zealand Rugby Union to demote them from the Air New Zealand Cup.

A national survey of ex-All Blacks, conducted by journalist Paul Verdon, found that 97 per cent did not want the championship changed from 14 teams and have called for a special general meeting if the NZRU is going to continue to head that way.

However, while a handful of former All Blacks want a 10-team championship, even they said it would be an injustice if Tasman were dropped.

The NZRU is due to announce a decision on the subject on or about December 12. The questionnaire was mailed to 250 former All Blacks. It was not sent to present All Blacks. The survey deadline was November 12.

One of the questions in the survey was: Would it be against all the laws of natural (and sporting) justice to now push Tasman, after finishing so highly in the competition, well outside the bottom four, out of the competition? Some replies were:

Grahame Thorne (1967-70 All Black, 39 matches, Auckland): Yes, but Mr Tew has stuffed them around from day one. They ruined Marlborough, which lost its ground.

Bill Clark (1953-56 All Black, 24 matches, Wellington): This would be crazy and people on the NZRU should be axed if they vote this way.

John Callesen (1974-76 All Black, 16 matches, Manawatu): It would be the same as years ago, when that format was operating. Unions at the lower end don't get time to establish themselves when going up-down, up-down.

Laurie Mains (1971,76 All Black, 15 matches, Otago; All Black coach 1992-95): Yes. It's not the way of New Zealand tradition. It breeds mediocrity if performance is not rewarded.

Rod Ketels (1979-81 All Black, 17 matches, Counties): Very much so. However, the NZRU are placing on-field performance at 30 per cent of the overall weighting, I understand.

- © Fairfax NZ News