Northland to appeal ANZ Cup axing

So long: Northland will not feature in the ANZ Cup as of 2009

The Northland Rugby Union has confirmed that it will appeal the decision to axe them, along with Tasman, from the Air New Zealand Cup as of next year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union unveiled a draft of the plan for next season's tournament, with the main feature being a reduction in teams - under the new format there will be 12 teams rather than 14.

After a review of the 14 current provincial unions it was decided that Northland and Tasman should be cut from next year's new-look format.

However the Northland Rugby Union believes there are a number of reasons why they should not have been excluded, and they are set to appeal the decision.

Unions have until the end of September to provide feedback before the new-look competition is finalised.

Northland Rugby chairman Wayne Peters says there are a number of reasons why his team should remain. He has already informed the NZRU the union is not happy.

Mr Peters says in terms of playing numbers Northland is in the first ten in New Zealand, as they are with population growth. He says it is simply unacceptable not to be included in premier competition - and he believes the NZRU has given other unions more financial assistance.