Rugby: Canterbury looking into downsizing staff

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) is poised to axe staff, with crowd numbers down and a major sponsor in receivership.

Chief executive Hamish Riach told the Press newspaper that while no-one had been laid off, a review to be finalised this week "may impact on some people".

Crowds at Canterbury and Crusaders home matches were down and CRFU was feeling the recession.

The receivership of clothing and textile manufacturer Lane Walker Rudkin, which was "a significant major sponsor of Canterbury rugby" had also made an impact.

Feedback from CRFU staff, who number between 35 and 37 "full-time equivalents" (excluding players and NZRU-contracted Super 14 coaches), had been sought and would be analysed before final decisions were made.

- NZPA