Rugby: Counties legend 'fed up' with NZRU

Former Counties player Jim Coe has blasted the New Zealand Rugby Union over its treatment of the financially stricken union.

A bailout offer from the national body that included a stipulation Counties volunteer to be relegated in return for financial assistance after the collapse of major sponsor Tribro Holdings has angered the hard-nosed former lock.

"I'm fed up with the way the NZRU is going," Coe said.

"They are going to destroy rugby in New Zealand if they keep on going the way they are going."

Tribro and its associated companies went into liquidation owing creditors more than $10 million, including $314,000 to the CMRU in unpaid sponsorship from last season.

That non-payment has left Counties on the brink of financial collapse and Coe is angry the NZRU is attempting to exploit the situation to cull a team from the top division as it moves to pare down the national championship from its 14-team format.

"It is through no fault really of the union and yet the NZRU are stepping in and saying 'okay we'll bail you out but these are the conditions' - that stinks," Coe said.

"Do they want to start promoting rugby in New Zealand and getting every kid that they possibly can [to play] and give people a representative side they can look up to and aspire to, or do they just want to be also-rans?"

As a 100-game Steelers veteran Coe receives a complementary season ticket. However, he intends to pay for his ticket to help the union in its drive to repair its finances by selling 3000 memberships.

"I'll certainly put my money where my mouth is," Coe said.

Another Counties legend, flying wing Joeli Vidiri, will also be buying a season ticket.

Auckland chief executive Andy Dalton, a former captain, coach and chief executive of Counties, stopped short of offering to get his chequebook out but said he hoped the public backed the union's survival plans.

The union will hold a public meeting on Monday night at Growers Stadium to gauge support for its plans.

The union has sold 69 season tickets.