Leave NPC as it is say Southland greats

Two of Southland's best-known rugby players have echoed the sentiments of their fellow All Blacks and denounced the decision to cut next year's first division competition to 10 teams.

Canterbury-based Robin Archer, who played for Otago and Southland, as well as 12 games for the All Blacks during the 1950s, said something should be done to change the New Zealand Rugby Union's mind on the issue.

"A special general meeting should be called if they are going to continue down this avenue of change."

Archer was adamant the player base would be unduly affected by the cut, something fellow Southland All Black Jack Hazlett agreed with. "A reduction in teams would actually lower the numbers of players with chances to go ahead," he said.

Ninety-seven per cent of 250 former All Blacks surveyed by rugby journalist Paul Verdon believed the NZRU should retain its present 14-team first division competition.

Wellington All Black and commentator Murray Mexted was reportedly sanctioned by Sky Television when he voiced his opinion on the matter recently.

"Rugby provincialism is the heart of rugby in New Zealand. Reducing it by one third is very short-sighted," Mexted said in the survey.

Sir Colin Meads is another advocate for the status quo.

"The NZRU has got to leave it as is. They've given the smaller provinces three or four years to get it right. This year those teams were knocking over the big fellows. They're up to speed and now they're going to be sacked. It's wrong."

The NZRU will announce its decision on which four teams will be demoted in mid-December.

After shoring up its financial position and making the semifinals for the past two years, Southland is not expected to be one of the teams in danger of going down.

Verdon said he was moved to conduct the survey because of the gravity of the situation.

- © Fairfax NZ News