Status quo to Air NZ Cup numbers

NZ Rugby Union decides against culling 4 sides from Air NZ Cup maintaining the current 14-team structure

The New Zealand Rugby Union Board has decided to maintain the current 14-team Air New Zealand Cup.

After threatening to cull four sides - expected to be Tasman, Northland, Manawatu and Counties - for the last six months, the status quo has been retained.

The NZRU has accepted the need to give provincial unions, players, sponsors and fans some certainty as to their playing future next year. The fact that several unions had lodged appeals and threatened other legal action was also a factor in the board's deliberations.

However, a 10 team competition remains on the cards for 2011 and beyond. It will be subject to continued negotiations between the Players Association and NZRU over the collective agreement.