Rugby: NZRU defends women's competition axing

The New Zealand Rugby Union says women's domestic rugby is one of many victims of the tight financial times.

Under fire in political circles for culling the women's provincial competition in 2010, general manager of provincial rugby Neil Sorenson admits cost-slashing across the board is far from ideal, but it was unavoidable as a "sizeable loss" looms this year.

"Like most organisations in New Zealand and the world, we're facing tough times and we have to cut our cloth to suit," Sorenson said.

"We've tried to not affect club rugby and schools rugby and the like but even in that area we've to make some cuts as well."

The most prominent areas to feel the pinch are the New Zealand Juniors team - effectively New Zealand B - the men's provincial B competition and the six-team women's competition.

The latter axing drew strong criticism from Labour party Sport and Recreation spokesman Chris Hipkins, who labelled it "disgraceful", as it removed an aspirational pathway for women players and was poorly timed with the women's World Cup to be played in England in August.

Hipkins also placed blame on Sport and Recreation New Zealand, saying the NZRU had been able to "wriggle out" of funding women's rugby because of a change in its funding contracting system.

Sorenson hotly rejected the claim, saying the relationship with Sparc remained strong.

"He's got lots of his facts totally wrong. Our relationship with Sparc is still very strong. Sparc is still assisting funding of women's rugby and sevens rugby in particular in New Zealand."

Sorenson said the only team who would receive more money than the triple world champion Black Ferns this year were the All Blacks. A two-test tour to England by the Black Ferns late last year cost the NZRU around $500,000.

He admitted the removal of the women's NPC wasn't ideal in World Cup year, although there was still plenty in place for the leading players, including two domestic tests against Canada.

"And our coaches and management team do have a good handle on who are the top 40-50 players in New Zealand women's rugby. It is a very small base we're playing from.

"Yes, there is a possibility that the odd standout player in that competition (NPC) in 2010 may miss out but we're going to be replacing the competition with camps and trials anyway for the Black Ferns."

Removing the New Zealand Junior team was also a "wrench", one year out from the men's World Cup and it meant the NZRU couldn't provide the assistance it would like to the Pacific Nations and Japan.

The New Zealand Maori side, who had no programme in 2009, would be revived this year, their centenary season.

Nothing is in place yet for the Maori side, and Sorenson couldn't yet confirm overseas reports of a home international against England although a "fantastic and fitting" programme would be announced soon.

 

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