| MORE OF THE GOOD OIL |
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| Will Wanganui leave the Heartland?
Update: As of 25 August it has been confirmed that two Heartland teams will be invited to join the new Division 1 (second division in 2010. With speculation swirling concerning the future of the Air NZ Cup and the professional structure of NZ rugby generally, IWRSA looks here at the debate concerning the future shape of our domestic comps and how this will affect Wanganui. First a bit of background. Following the late reprieve given Northland and Tasman late in the 2008 season financial crises in many of the non-Super unions have again provoked a series of emergency meetings between provincial reps and the NZRU that have now reached tentative agreement on shrinking the Air NZ Cup from 14 to 10 teams. Clearly, a five team comp would be untenable and various scenarios are being bandied about for the new Div 1 (effectively 2nd div) including the involvement of Super union B sides or the promotion of top Heartland teams. This raises a conundrum for Wanganui: whether to continue in a competition that is clearly working to our benefit, with improved crowds, public interest and on-field performance or to seek a higher level of footy for our players which is likely to raise standards while likely leaving us out of the running for top honours in the new division. Here are Wanganui rugby CEO Dale Cobb's thoughts: 25/6/09 Division 1 entry only if amateur By David Ogilvie Wanganui remains tentatively interested in the proposed "Division One" championship to be launched by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union within two years - but only if it is amateur. It seems that agreement on the format of the second of three divisions (Air NZ 10 unions, division one (make-up to be decided), and Heartland (those unions left) is still a long way away, despite some suggestions that Heartland unions King Country, North Otago and Mid Canterbury were strongly interested in going up. There were clearly attempts to entice Wanganui into a similar way of thinking. Wanganui Rugby Union CEO Dale Cobb, who was at Saturday's meeting at the NZRFU, says there's a long way to go and the sticking point is whether the second tier "division one" would be amateur or professional. "The unions coming down want it to be professional, we want it to be amateur." The problem? There is a salary cap figure of $800,000 in player payments (maybe down to $400,000) being tossed around for the professional part of New Zealand rugby, while Cobb says Wanganui's player expense payments amount to $25,000. The difference is clear. "The inference was made, that given Wanganui's status in the (Heartland) competition and in terms of aspirational status for our players that surely we would want to go up," Cobb said "Our concern was whether the make-up of that division would be professional or amateur. And given if it's professional, we are way, way behind the eight-ball - you're talking $800,000 to Wanganui's $25,000. "I know the teams coming down have clearly indicated they don't want to come down to an amateur competition." It seems Bay of Plenty, Counties-Manakau, Tasman and either Southland or Manawatu could be the top division unions to drop - Manawatu, for argument's sake, was alleged to be in deficit $440,000 last season. "For Wanganui, it comes down to whether we are going to be in a position financially to afford to be able to go up - and would the NZRFU entertain the idea of giving us a rocket feed to go up. "That's the whole thing that needs to be evolved - whether it's to become professional or amateur." And that's a long way from being sorted out, Cobb said. The Heartland unions are to meet with the NZRFU on July 7 about the possibility of four Heartland unions going up. "If we went up and it was professional we would probably be looking at folding within two years - it's just not an option. Our status on the field is good, but whether we can foot it with the big boys financially is very questionable." Cobb says no decision can be contemplated until a decision is made on the structure/conditions of the competition. "There are a lot of decisions to be made. This meeting of the Heartland unions with the NZRFU will obviously determine the way we want to go and the pathway we want to take." |
| Heartland 1 2009 v East Coast Saturday 2.30pmNZT, 3.30amGMT A rusty Wanganui side was far too good for a game but limited East Coast side, running in 8 tries in a 46-6 blowout that would have been a lot worse for the Ngati Porou boys had kickers Denning Tyrell and Steelie Koro had a better day with the boot. Three tries came in the first half with newbie Fraser Middleton, whose dad Bruce is a Wanganui centurion and should have worn black, nailing 3 or 4. Wanganui weren't flash for long periods and will need to step it up against a Wairarapa Bush side that will be desperate for points after losing to West Coast 10-13 today. Click here for NZPA report Other scores: Pool A (Wangas pool) Buller 13 Horowhenua 17; Pool B: Mid Canty 26 Thames Vly 24; N Otago 22 South Canty 26; King Ctry 20 Poverty Bay 26. |
| Heartland 4 2009: Wanganui Ekes Out Crucial Win An absolutely critical 4 points for the Butcher Boys in Westport this morning, breaking a long run of poor results in the West Coast town. The try in the first quarter to second-five Fraser Middleton, half-time 10-7 Wanganui. A pen in the second 40 was all there was and Wanganui walks away with the win, which should seal Meads qualification - pending later results. Full match report to follow. |