Revamp doubts persist

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The New Zealand Rugby Union's plan to revamp its domestic competitions looks shakier by the day.

Less than a month remains until the NZRU board decides which four of the 14 Air New Zealand Cup teams should be chopped and a raft of questions remain unanswered – as Tasman chief executive Peter Barr and chairman Nick Patterson discovered when they met NZRU chief executive Steve Tew and board members Graham Mourie and Ken Douglas on Monday.

Barr and Patterson were given no indication which two Heartland provinces would be promoted into the proposed Division One competition, which will also comprise the four demoted Air New Zealand Cup sides, because no decision has been made. Tasman, one of the four unions in line to be demoted, are eager to learn their fate so they can contract sponsors and plan ahead for next year, but are not expected to know of their future until December 10.

Doubts about the competition revamp continue to grow because of concerns the national body will be unable to keep its promise of providing them with a "meaningful competition".

Heartland provinces Wanganui and Mid-Canterbury met NZRU community rugby manager Buck Anderson last week 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 may be approached.

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 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.

"We have been quite public in our views that our players want to play in a meaningful competition and to us the broadcasting is an absolute crucial element to it," Players Association boss Rob Nichol said yesterday. "The concept of 10 and six [teams in each competition] has always been put forward on the basis of both competitions being meaningful and very contingent on [being] the right thing for the Heartland unions to step up."

On top of all this, Northland is seeking legal advice on the NZRU's inability to provide the "meaningful" competition and Tasman has been asked to offer their support.

Tew has been adamant the NZRU must streamline its top competition because it is, chiefly, a financial burden and the domestic competition will be reduced when the Super 15 is extended in 2011.