New Zealand union does u-turn on revamp

The New Zealand Rugby Union has backed down on plans to cut four teams from the country's premier domestic competition next year after threats of legal action from teams facing the axe. Rugby union chairman Jock Hobbs said Friday the union was reversing its decision made in July to cut the top provincial competition in 2010 from 14 teams to 10.

But he said the union still favoured cutting four teams from the 2011 season, depending on negotiations with the provincial teams.

The decision to cut the teams was made due to the the poor financial performance of some teams.

The July announcement raised a howl of protest from many fans and the four teams likely to be cut - Northland, Counties-Manukau, Manawatu, and Tasman. Appeals from the teams and threats of legal action followed, which the union said was the reason - along with pay negotiations with players - that the competition will remain unchanged next year.