NZRU admit 14 teams to new premier competition

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has admitted all 14 applicants to a new premier division and named a 12-team division one competition to replace the NPC from next year.

Today's announcement by the NZRU at its Wellington headquarters that 14 teams would contest the professional premier division was a major reversal in its initial restructuring plans after a competition review stated it would have only 12 teams.

All 10 current NPC first division teams have been included and will be joined by second division sides Counties-Manukau, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and a combined Nelson/Marlborough team.

The provinces will compete in a two-pool, two-round competition to be followed by a finals round including quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches.

In the second round however, based on rankings from round one, teams will play in a top six pool and a bottom eight repechage, with two teams joining the top six in the quarterfinals.

NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs said details about a salary cap were still to be finalised, but he expected one to come into effect in 2006

The new division one competition will comprise Buller, East Coast, Horowhenua-Kapiti, King Country, Mid Canterbury, North Otago, Poverty Bay, South Canterbury, Thames Valley, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, and West Coast.

These teams will play in a two-pool competition, with the top and bottom six vying to play in separate semifinal and final matches.

- NZPA