Kiwis to 'cut the fat' on domestic scene
Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:52
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has proposed some dramatic changes to their domestic scene - including cutting some unwanted excesses - in a discussion document which recommends that the current Air New Zealand Cup competition be reduced from 14 teams to either 11 or 12.
The 76-page document outlines eight different options for a new competition format to come into effect from next year, saying the current competition is simply too expensive.
Between the NZRU and the provinces the competition runs at a staggering NZ$9.5-million loss.
Not only has the NZRU proposed a reduction in the number of teams, but it has also suggested a calendar shift as it seeks to repair a competition threatened by financial strife.
The discussion document also recommends slashing the salary cap to ease pressure on unions struggling to survive in the national provincial competition.
The document promotes starting the competition two to three weeks later from 2009, running from mid-August to November - with a competition length of 13 weeks deemed to be optimum.
There is a recommendation to reduce the current salary cap of NZ$2.1-million significantly, to between NZ$400,000 and NZ$1.2m.
Player payments last year were NZ$20.6-million, a 75 percent increase on four years earlier.
If the number of teams was reduced it would spark further challenges.
Demoted teams would either be accommodated in the amateur Heartland Competition or a new second-tier structure would be created.
The case for players affected by a reduction in teams would be addressed by the New Zealand Rugby Players Association as part of the collective agreement negotiation later this year.
Chief Executive Steve Tew stressed Thursday's document represented recommendations of the NZRU rather than a primary view.
"This is one step in a comprehensive process," Tew told NZPA.
"The key attributes of the competition are all agreed, the role of the competition is pretty well understood and there are things coming through that are important."
Tew said a later start to the season was almost universally supported.
The recommended number of teams would create discussion, but was the best of eight options considered in the document if a logical process was followed.
"If you want to tick a 13-week window against key attributes, then you do come down to two more preferred options (11 or 12 teams), particularly if you start putting financial issues around it," Tew said.
"It's a direction, but there's still a lot of talking and feedback before any final decisions are made."
The recommendations are dependent on gaining certainty about other elements of the season structure, still in the discussion stage as part of a wide-ranging competitions review.
One is Super Rugby, where the document said there is general acceptance it will expand into July or August and run concurrently with the June test window.
The NZRU has mooted that the Super Rugby season start almost a month later than usual, in mid-March, but Tew said that had yet to get support from Australia or South Africa.
The Tri-Nations would ideally follow directly from Super Rugby, starting in August and flowing into the Northern Hemisphere tour, effectively ending the involvement of All Blacks in provincial rugby.
The club season dates would be unaffected but a later start to the Air NZ Cup would grant provincial players more time with their clubs. A national club finals day was touted for late July.
The discussion document, a key component of the competitions review, was released to provincial unions on Wednesday.
It is the result of widespread consultation with provinces, Super Rugby franchises, the Players' Association and other media and sponsorship stakeholders.
A review of the Air NZ Cup was always going to take place after its third year, but was brought forward by the financial plight of several unions.
Provinces will have a further opportunity to provide feedback on the document by July 16 before the final review report is concluded.
An NZRU board meeting on August 1-2 will consider the final report and determine the new competition structure, subject to final consultation with provincial unions.
