Bush Sports in - almost

Pahiatua-based Bush Sports' prospects of entering two teams in the Wairarapa-Bush rugby competition have improved dramatically.

The board of the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union have given them the green light to contest the 2012 premier and senior reserve grades. And the Manawatu union, to whom they are affiliated, shouldn't be a stumbling block though they have yet to officially agree to the move.

"They (Manawatu) have indicated their approval but we need to have it in writing before we say that everything is all go," Wairarapa-Bush chief executive officer Phil Taylor said.

"But there doesn't seem to be anything standing in the way, we're expecting confirmation any day now."

Bush Sports' application to affiliate with Wairarapa-Bush came on the back of winning the Manawatu second division title last season, then having a bid to play in that union's premier grade rejected. The fact many of their players had expressed a desire to play for a Heartland union was also part of the equation.

It wasn't just a matter of the Wairarapa-Bush board accepting the application, though. They had to consider what the acquisition of Bush Sports would mean to another of their premier division clubs, Puketoi, who were expecting to benefit from the services of at least some of their players.

Taylor said hopes were high that Puketoi, a late withdrawal from the premier division last year because of a player shortage, would still be able to field a competitive line-up.

Numbers at early season training sessions there had been encouraging and union officials were helping them build playing resources.

Premier division entries won't be finalised until the end of the month but if Bush Sports and Puketoi are in, team numbers will probably increase from 10 to 12.