Counties could be on the move

Counties Manukau officials are considering Auckland's Ericsson Stadium as a home ground option, as the union chases a spot in next year's new NPC premier division.

The Steelers' present home, Growers Stadium in Pukekohe, remains their first choice, but needs work done on it to meet the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's criteria.

Counties Manukau chief executive Nick Sheppard said yesterday that the union had been looking at a number of other possibilities if staying in Pukekohe proved not to be viable.

One of those was the newly upgraded Ericsson Stadium, which is outside the Counties Manukau area and is where the New Zealand Warriors league side are based.

"Our preference is Growers Stadium - that's our home - but as with any strategic process we have to explore all the options," Sheppard said.

"More than anything, it's a fallback position."

He said the union was awaiting cost estimates for work that would be needed at Growers Stadium.

"Some of the things we have to do are purely cosmetic. But there are also the changing rooms and things on the field, with irrigation systems and maintenance programmes."

Now in the second division, the Steelers have seen their fortunes dip since the heady days of the 1990s, when they had Jonah Lomu and Joeli Vidiri in their ranks and twice made the division one final.

Sheppard described this year, the union's 50th anniversary, as the most important in Counties Manukau's history.

"If we don't make it [the premier division] in 2006, the demise of Counties Manukau rugby will increase. It will be far more rapid."

Among events to mark the jubilee season is a match against the union's first opponents, Thames Valley, at Queen's Birthday weekend.

Up to 12 teams are expected to make up the new premier division, which will be part of revamped two-tier NPC structure. The successful applicants are due to be decided in May.

- NZPA