RUGBY - Northland to remain in top tier for 2009

Northland have made the grade but Tasman's future in rugby's Air NZ Cup is looking perilous.
Officials from the merged union were told by the New Zealand Rugby to stump up with better finances by Wednesday or face relegation. Both Northland and Tasman were given a reprieve by the NZRU in September after coming up short to remain in the top flight.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew yesterday said Northland had met all the conditions in its submission made three months ago and their participation in the Air NZ Cup was confirmed.
However, while Tew was pleased Tasman's sub-unions Marlborough and Nelson Bays had mended internal differences, their bottom line was still shaky.
The 2009 Air NZ Cup draw will be finalised next week.