After biting his nails to the quick last Saturday, Northland Rugby Union chairman Andrew Golightly is encouraging Northland supporters not to miss the Taniwhas' vital game against Tasman tomorrow.
"It's an important game for both teams and I think it highlights what a great Air New Zealand Cup competition it has
been this year because there's still so much to play for," he said.
Both teams are showing some decent form. Tasman defeated Auckland for the first time last week to be in a position to grab a top four spot and Northland went oh so close to winning the Ranfurly Shield.
"I'm very proud of the effort the team put in last week. They pushed Canterbury hard and it will be another challenge for them this week to see if they can bounce back from the disappointment of not lifting that log o' wood," he said.
"It would have been a huge, huge result from our point of view but we still have an opportunity to push for a top 10 finish and that still remains the goal for the coaching staff and the team."
Golightly believes a big turnout for tomorrow's game will strengthen Northland's bid to stay in the division. He believes different schools of thought are emerging about the necessity of culling four teams from the top flight.
"I think we need opinion to shift back to supporting 14 teams in the competition, then the issue could become the uncertainty surrounding the establishment of a meaningful second-tier competition," Golightly said.
He isn't expecting the process will be derailed but is hopeful it may be delayed.
"There seem to be some considerable issues to work through," he said.
These include television coverage, player contracts and there were still questions regarding the number of teams and which teams wanted promotion from the Heartland competition.
Northland versus Tasman kicks off at Okara Park tomorrow at 2.30pm.
