Rugby: Time to win on the field and off

NRU CEO Jeremy Parkinson said 2016 is looking positve.

The Northland Rugby Union performed off the field in 2015, despite the Taniwha's on-field performances failing to give fans a victory.

This year, the biggest challenge for the boys in Cambridge Blue is to get back to winning ways in the Mitre 10 Cup and union boss Jeremy Parkinson can see a few positive indicators.

"We're in a lot better position this year because most of the guys that played for us in 2015 are back, plus seven that are playing for the Blues in Super Rugby. Last year we had only one Super Rugby player," he said.

The union posted a profit for the fourth year in a row in 2015.

However, the $63,970 surplus was down from 2014's $121,036 and 2013's $172,603.

The latter was largely due to a $146,754 pay out from the privatisation of the Blues' franchise.

Parkinson attributed the smaller profit to a decrease in income and ACC levies for Super Rugby players contracted to the Taniwha.

He said Super Rugby players like Dan Bowden, Dan Pryor, and Jone Macilai who were injured last year were not entitled to ACC levies because they were self-insured.

"We also employed three additional rugby development officers in Whangarei and the Bay of Islands on short-term contracts so that was another expense for us," he said.

The union's audited accounts for 2015 was presented at its annual general meeting at Toll Stadium on Wednesday evening. Parkinson said NRU delivered on key performance indicators by being one of 12 provinces out of 26 that grew teenage participation in the game with a 5 per cent increase in the 13- to 20-year age bracket.

He said 79 more teenagers played rugby in Northland in 2015 than in previous years.

This year, Parkinson said the union's main focus was on making the Taniwha competitive for the Mitre 10 Cup.

A combination of factors - some unforced - created a "perfect storm" for the team last season.

The Taniwha had lost 10 key players and new mentors, including head coach Richie Harris, started late with the team.

Wing Jone Macilai turned up unfit, out of shape, and in poor form while Dan Pryor missed all but seven games due to injury. Injuries in other key positions like tighthead prop had not helped either.