New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is considering a major revamp of the Mitre 10 Cup in a bid to slash costs as Covid-19’s devastating financial impact digs in.
Stuff understands discussions between NZR and provincial unions (PUs) have already taken place and a change in format for the men’s national provincial championship is on the cards from next year.
NZR declined to comment while consultations are ongoing, but it’s understood a decision will be made next month.
Nothing is concrete, but one of multiple options being explored would result in the 14-team competition being split into north and south pools, akin to the Farah Palmer Cup this year, saving money on travel, a huge expense for NZR and PUs.
Slashing expenditure and mapping a sustainable future is something NZR chief executive Mark Robinson last week made clear was essential as the governing body faces a financial hit of more than $40 million in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’ve worked through a period where we’ve been trying to ensure the survival of our game, and that’s been a critical number one focus. We’ve got to survive. Now the game has to change at a number of levels,” Robinson said last week.
The current format, which includes a premiership and championship with a promotion-relegation system, has been in play since 2011, but a review into the provincial game, known as the Nga Miro Report, has recommended changes.
NZR conducted a similar review into Super Rugby, the Aratipu Report.
