Rugby: Counties bosses win supporters' backing

The CMRU board appointed coach Milton Haig without advertising for the position. Photo / Wanganui Chronicle

The Counties Manukau Rugby Union received strong backing for its plans to fight for its national championship survival from a public meeting at Growers Stadium last night.

Those at the Pukekohe meeting voted 226-3 in favour of the union's plans to reject an NZRU bailout package that was conditional on its volunteering to be relegated to a lower division at the end of the season.

"It was a great result for Counties Manukau rugby," chief executive Phil McConnell said. "We are not going to give up without a fight."

McConnell revealed that the union faces an operating shortfall of $515,000 for the coming season. The collapse of main sponsor Tribro, which owes the union $314,000 from last season, a decline in revenue from the union's gaming trusts and a recession-affected sponsorship market were the key factors behind the shortfall.

The decision to reject the NZRU's financial assistance means the money will have to be raised through sponsorship and a membership drive.

The union has given itself four weeks to raise a significant portion of the required funding or it will reconsider its position.

McConnell said it was making progress on a naming rights deal for Pukekohe Stadium and was also discussing a potential playing-jersey sponsorship with several interested parties.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew was the chief target for those unhappy at the conditions attached to the national body's bailout package.

Counties Manukau union chairman Matthew Newman told the meeting that Tew had shown "barely disguised glee" when tabling the offer.

"It almost feels like any excuse to cull a struggling union is the best thing for New Zealand rugby - bloody bullshit," Newman said.

Counties' financial plight was being "replicated right around the country", he said. His peers at other unions were doing a "snow job" with their financial numbers.

"Watch this space," he said.

But Newman and his board didn't escape criticism, with some at last night's meeting laying the blame for the union's perilous financial situation at their feet.

Former player and coach Gary Millington called on the board to step down or hold a vote of no confidence.

A series of disastrous decisions such as muddling the union's identity by adding Manukau to its name, switching from the Blues to become a Chiefs affiliate and agreeing to play games at Mt Smart Stadium had all been made by the board.

It had also appointed McConnell and new coach Milton Haig without advertising either position and had spent almost as much on photocopying last year as it had invested in club rugby.