The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has admitted all 14 applicants to a new premier division and named a 12-team division one competition to replace the NPC from next year.
Today's announcement by the NZRU at its Wellington headquarters that 14 teams would contest the professional premier division was amajor reversal in its initial restructuring plans after a competition review stated it would have only 12 teams.
All 10 current NPC first division teams have been included and will be joined by second division sides Counties-Manukau, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and a combined Nelson/Marlborough team.
The provinces will compete in a two-pool, two-round competition to be followed by a finals round including quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches.
In the second round however, based on rankings from round one, teams will play in a top six pool and a bottom eight repechage, with two teams joining the top six in the quarterfinals.
NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs said details about a salary cap were still to be finalised, but he expected one to come into effect in 2006
The new division one competition will comprise Buller, East Coast, Horowhenua-Kapiti, King Country, Mid Canterbury, North Otago, Poverty Bay, South Canterbury, Thames Valley, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, and West Coast.
These teams will play in a two-pool competition, with the top and bottom six vying to play in separate semifinal and final matches.
