Heartland or First Division

BY STU PIDDINGTON

The South Canterbury Rugby Union could be forced into a bizarre situation of advertising for two different coaches for 2010 – one for the Heartland competition and the other for the First Division.

The side will also be on tenterhooks until possibly next year over which competition they will be playing in, forcing administrators to take an each-way bet.

After being knocked out in the Meads Cup semifinal, there are some big decisions to be made by rugby's local administrators and then the national body.

The New Zealand Rugby Union have asked for expressions of interest in the new First Division from Heartland unions and five have obliged, with two places at stake.

Wanganui appear a shoo-in for the North Island as defending champions and finalists again on Saturday.

Hanan Shield provinces Mid Canterbury, North Otago and South Canterbury will probably fight it out for the remaining spot.

On the paddock, Mid Canterbury have made their second consecutive Meads Cup final and have the edge on results.

The NZRU, however, have made it clear that performance on the paddock is not everything and other aspects such as finances and venues would come into play.

The national body also has a fight on its hands, with four provinces set to be relegated from the top-tier Air New Zealand Cup competition and some appear to be posturing for a legal fight.

Tasman is also a wild card. If relegated they could well split back into Nelson and Marlborough and take one of the two spots available to Heartland teams.

SCRU chairman Stephen McFarlane was noncommittal on the green and blacks' future at this stage.

"The board is still collecting information and feedback in regard to the Division One opportunity.

"The rugby decision is probably straightforward. We should want our province to play at the highest level it is capable of and our players to have that opportunity.

McFarlane said if South Canterbury were to compete in Division One then we would need to build our player depth and strength over time.

"Division One may well attract new players to live and play in South Canterbury and there is a loan player allocation of six."

The forecast shortfall of stepping up could also cause a few headaches.

McFarlane said the funding requirements were more challenging with a likely annual shortfall of $200,000 to $300,000.

While South Canterbury has had loyal sponsors in the past, none would have that sort of money to spend.

Crowd attendances have also been disappointing despite the side's good run near the end.

McFarlane said the normal end-of-year Heartland debrief would start this week. The coaching job was to be advertised as a matter of course, as it was two years since Ken Wills was appointed.

"The position will be advertised on the basis that the status quo is maintained.

"Applicants will be made aware that a step up to Division One will likely be a full-time, paid position and that the position will be reopened if that decision is taken."

McFarlane admitted it was not totally efficient but they had little choice.

"Given the time constraints it may also be that a Division One position is advertised but that decision hasn't been finally taken."

McFarlane said the board had focused on understanding the requirements of Division One but they still had time to work through the investigation process properly.

"Performance has been indicated as a key criteria for promotion.

"Both Wanganui and Mid Canterbury have expressed interest and so it would require one of those to decline the opportunity to go up for South Canterbury to have a look-in.

McFarlane said the other possible outcome was that NZRU decided for some reason that one of these teams was not suitable or applied criteria over and above performance. That could eliminate either team in South Canterbury's favour.

"We will need to wait and see."

- © Fairfax NZ News