Glimmer of hope still remains for Makos

However entrenched the New Zealand Rugby Union appears in its thinking, there remains a flicker of light for Tasman's Air New Zealand Cup survival.

Tasman union chairman Nick Patterson and his chief executive Peter Barr might not have been doing handstands after Monday's two hour meeting with NZRU officials in Wellington, but there's still a faint glimmer of hope that circumstances might yet conspire to work in Tasman's favour.

There were certainly no indications given on Monday that Tasman will remain part of next season's Air New Zealand Cup competition. None were expected. If anything, the NZRU merely reaffirmed their stance that the current 14-team format remains financially unsustainable, changes must be made and that four teams will, indeed, be cut from next year's competition.

While Tasman are to be commended for the hard work that's gone into restoring some financial credibility and the fine efforts of the players on-field, whatever happens to them from here on is largely out of their control.

Yet, right from the outset, the NZRU has steadfastly maintained that whatever form next year's competition takes, it must be meaningful for all parties concerned.

That's looming as a key sticking point and who determines the relevant definition of the word meaningful is open to scrutiny.

With leading Heartland teams Wanganui and Mid Canterbury earmarked for promotion into next year's proposed six-team division one competition, there appear to be some reservations by those unions that they're ready for the move.

Both provinces have met with NZRU community rugby manager Buck Anderson to discuss what financial assistance they will receive and whether to make a commitment to division one and if they reject the invitation, South Canterbury and North Otago might be approached.

With all due respect to South Canterbury and North Otago, any further dilution of the competition's perceived strength only further diminishes any genuine claims to a meaningful competition.

This year, most Heartland provinces paid about $2000 in ACC levies, but that figure could balloon to as much as $50,000 if they enter the semi-professional division one structure.

Division one players are also expected to command a minimum salary of $15,000.

Heartland union players get around $100 a week each.

Adding to the NZRU's problems are murmurings the TV broadcasters are unenthusiastic about division one, something that will be a big concern for the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association as players' livelihoods come into question.

The players' collective agreement is still being negotiated, adding another potential glitch to the NZRU's plans of a meaningful, and problem-free, co-existence.

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glenn common   #1   06:37 pm Nov 12 2009

" GO YOU MAKOS!!!"

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