New Zealand Rugby is facing a revolt by four Unions that threatens to quit the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup. Although the Mitre 10 Cup is only scheduled to start in September, unions are threatening to withdraw over fears that they will not be able to pay their players.
Taranaki, Northland, Southland and North Harbour are the teams that may be forced to not compete in this year's Mitre 10 Cup competition. Although the remaining eight other unions have committed to the competition, Wellington and Otago could change their minds following the results of ongoing negotiations between the unions and the Players' Association.
The Players' Association and NZ Rugby agreed upon a 50 per cent pay cut for the last eight months of this year but this agreement only covers Super Rugby and All Blacks players. Provincial unions and the Players' Association are in negotiations for the past month to agree to a wage-cut figure that will allow the tournament to progress with all 14 teams involved.