Rugby championship unlikely to be altered

Press, 9 October 1982, Page 64

Rugby championship unlikely to be altered

PA Wellington There will be no changes to the' format for rugby’s National Provincial Championship series for the RugbyCup for the 1983 season, in spite of intense lobbying by provincial unions.

At a meeting in Wellington of the chairmen of all the provincial unions, broad discussions were held, and seven firm prop6sals were examined: The chairman of the championship committee. Mr Bob Stuart, would not elaborate on the final outcome of the meeting, saying only that a recommendation would be prepared for next week's meeting of the council of New Zealand Rugby Football Union in Auckland. But the fact that there has not-been notification of change suggests the status quo will remain.

' “We have come up with a firm recommendation, and it

will be revealed next week,' said Mr Stuart.

“There were many aspects considered, not the least of which were the implications of the Ranfurly Shield commitments. the general economic factor and the merit concept. “There was also great concern shown for the geographically disadvantaged unions, and to be fair, there were certain flaws in every scheme discussed.

“The provincial unions have been considering proposals for about a month, and there was merit in the meeting, for it proved that people are thinking seriously about the entire format."