NPC not broke so why the rush to fix it?

NOW, here's an idea - leave rugby's national provincial championship alone.

While it may be too late now, as the rugby heads in Wellington toss and turn about which four teams to chop from next year's Air New Zealand Cup, the question many would be asking after the first round last weekend is why tamper with something the fans love and support? Well, maybe not the Auckland fans.

The first round had everything for provincial rugby supporters - close games (apart from the blowout in Hawke's Bay where the home team thrashed Auckland and everyone enjoyed it), some cracking tries and passion.

That can't be said of the rubbish dished up in Durban, where the All Blacks ran around like headless chooks.

The doom merchants will say the standard of play in the NPC is not up to the Super 14 or tests.

Judging by the All Blacks in recent weeks, and several weeks of mediocre Super 14 games, it's not that bad. And these guys aren't paid half the money of the boys in black.

So can we afford to have 14 teams? Maybe not by all reports from the balance books of some unions. But then again, can we afford not to have 14?

On the opening weekend's results, this year's competition promises to be a beauty. Perhaps it's the threat of the axe that has helped.

Whatever the reason, having provincial teams knock over the Super 14 outfits has to be good.

Hawke's Bay has waited years to beat Auckland and Bay supporters would have been joined by others from throughout the country celebrating the side knocking the stuffing out of Auckland - a bit like the Southland boys beating Waikato and North Harbour upsetting Canterbury.

I say keep the competition as it is - a competition without the All Blacks drifting back in when released by the three wise men.

The call in the past has been the men in black get too much rugby with Super 14 commitments and internationals. Well, the opportunity is there to make the Air New Zealand Cup a competition for the provincial fans.

With the All Blacks out, it's an open playing field for all 14 teams - not just the favoured five Super 14 outfits. If players are good enough in the Air New Zealand Cup, they will pick up Super 14 contracts.

Until then, hands off.

Give us a competition where fans can be parochial and support players who have a passion for their jersey.

- © Fairfax NZ News