The future of Northland rugby is on the line in today's promotion-relegation match against Hawkes Bay in Napier, and the union knows it.
Demotion to the NPC second division again - Northland were there for the seasons between 1993 and 1997 - would have drastic repercussions in sponsorship, finances and player
retention.
The effects of the professional era on once-vibrant unions similar to Northland, such as Counties-Manukau and even Hawkes Bay, are obvious.
Of the present Northland side, only one player loss is confirmed, apart from the retirement of captain Glenn Taylor. Promising midfield back Jason Shoeback is off to Otago for next season.
But chief executive Tim Hamilton said Northland had already had harsh reminders of falling into the status of a feeder for the bigger Super 12 host unions. Northlanders had wryly noted the presence of three of their products in the Auckland side who last weekend won the first-division title: Derren Witcombe, Nick White and Justin Collins.
Two others in the Auckland pack, Angus Macdonald and Bryce Williams, also had ties with Northland.
Hamilton said Northland were putting all the setbacks behind them and would try to be as positive as possible.
Among the drawbacks had been playing away today, the three weeks since the team's last match, and the Super 12 squads being named yesterday with barely any recognition of Northland players.
But a record this year of no wins from nine matches meant the province was not in a strong bargaining position.
"That's the way it has been for a while and we've known about it," Hamilton said. "We just have to front up and do the best we can."
It might also be stalwart Norm Berryman's last match for the union.
The team were keen to play well for him and Taylor.
