Rugby: Talent flow could freeze

Think Lelia Masaga; the almost-All Black. He didn't get on the field last weekend and was out of the 22 this week - but most judges think he will eventually be an exciting addition to the ranks of All Black wingers.

Now think of no Lelia Masaga. Think about a scenario where he wasn't spotted in the relative backwater where he played his schoolboy rugby in Counties-Manukau.

That's what Counties-Manukau CEO Phil McConnell fears if, in the worst-case scenario, the embattled union slips out of the top tier of New Zealand's provincial rugby.

Counties are battling for their very rugby life - and have called an unprecedented public meeting to help raise the extra finances needed to stay alive this season and to help safeguard the future.

Even if Counties stave off the financial demons this season, there is no guarantee they will retain first division status in whatever form of the Air NZ Cup the New Zealand Rugby Union decide.

After two abortive efforts to streamline the national competition, the NZRU are committed to shortening the season, reducing the number of teams and thus the costs - which critics say will emasculate the Air NZ Cup further.

Moves to demote unions like Northland and Tasman foundered and there has since been talk of reducing the 14-strong Cup competition to 10 teams, plus other scenarios.

Counties, with what McConnell admits is the considerable "Achilles heel" of not managing its commercial revenue well and not performing well on the field, are squarely in the crosshairs of the revisionists. The inability to attract sponsorship since the major sponsor went into receivership last year - leaving the union short about $300,000 - was a blow from which Counties have not yet recovered.

"I am warning all our stakeholders that we could get our finances right, perform on the field and still have no guarantees," says McConnell. "The NZRU could say, well, you've been able to make it this year but that's not enough going forward."

But a top tier without Counties-Manukau could arguably, McConnell believes, see the death of the union long-term and stifle the flow of young players to the All Blacks.

Don't know what he's talking about? John Afoa, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Joe Rokocoko and Masaga are products of either Counties-Manukau schools and/or their academy system. They might have made All Black-dom through different unions and pathways, as rugby people say, but McConnell says all are a product of his union's talent stocks, identification and development.

"If you assume that the All Blacks will use about 35 players this year, including all of these guys [the seven named above], we provide about 20 per cent of the entire All Black squad."

If Counties-Manukau are shifted, McConnell fears that supply could dry up.

"Look at Lelia Masaga - he's a perfect example," he said. "He was spotted by one of our development officers playing at James Cook High School."

That school is not known for its rugby prowess and McConnell admitted the development officer concerned had taken a bit of ribbing.

"Eventually he persuaded the coaches to take a look at Masaga and he was then fast-tracked into the system as a schoolboy. I don't think there has been anyone who has been more loyal to Counties rugby than Lelia Masaga."

McConnell's point is that such locally-based, local-knowledge, talent-spotting may be hindered and the flow into the All Blacks blocked. The NZRU might well dispute that; but one thing upon which all agree is that Counties-Manukau are an important, even vital, source of talent which will presumably not be overlooked in future plans.

"Think about Maama Vaipulu," he says. "No one knows who he is now but they will all know his name soon."

Vaipulu is, apparently, a No 8 winning 'wow' reviews from all who have seen him thus far.

Whatever the result of tomorrow's public meeting - 7.30pm at Grower's Stadium in Pukekohe - unions like Counties, Manawatu, Northland and Tasman may still be under threat.

Counties are undertaking their fundraising ventures having baulked at an offer by the NZRU to cover their debts if they agreed to move peacefully into a lower division.

It may or may not work. But they now have lights at their stadium - the lack of which meant Counties had to hold poorly-attended and expensive matches at Mt Smart stadium.

McConnell won't reveal marketing plans to get the Counties faithful to the stadium in numbers - vital if they are to see off the financial threats.

"We are coming up with ways so people don't say: 'It was great but I don't think I'll go back'. We are looking at things that will make people say: 'I need to go back, to the next game and the one after because it's a cool, excellent experience'."