News

D-day looms for Tasman and Northland

September 23 2008

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) meets on Thursday to decide the make-up of the Air New Zealand Cup competition and is bracing itself for a tense few days and a major potential backlash.

Tasman and Northland are slated for the chopping block in a new 12-team format and NZRU boss Steve Tew says he is not surprised by the ground swell of emotion and for support which has surrounded Northland in particular and the NZRU will deal with any of the consequences when it has arrived at a decision.

The current points table in the Air New Zealand Cup may give the NZRU some food for thought. Tasman is currently eighth - one place ahead of Auckland - and Northland scored a runaway win over North Harbour at the weekend.

Tew says while both teams are performing this season, on-field results do not solve the problem of financial viability, among others.

Tasman and Northland are both due to make presentations to the board in a bid to save themselves from being axed.