As every rugby union fan in New Zealand knows, the decision regarding the future of the Air New Zealand Cup will be announced today at 3.30pm has been announced with the competition keeping the 14 team-structure from this year. But on Tuesday, following this article in the NZ Herald, I started thinking about what I'd do if I was in charge. Then, because I'm an idiot with not much better to do, I created my own framework.

I'm in favour of the conference based system as while the regional rivalry system has merits, I think that under the current format it has become slightly redundant. The unions themselves are based on political boundaries we haven't used in over a century!

So here is what I would pitch to the NZRU board, the chief executives of the various unions and the players themselves.

Read it

Playing Window

The competition would begin six weeks after the conclusion of the Super Rugby competition and last 12 weeks.

1) Competition Structure

The competition will encompass conferences as suggested in the NZ Herald article, but in a different way. I'd have four conferences, each consisting of four teams, drawn at random by the governing body. These teams would not be chosen by any logical system - geography would play no part of it and nor would parity. It would be entirely possible to have 'big' unions such as Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury in the same conference, as it would be to have the far North teams of Northland, Auckland, Counties-Manukau and North Harbour. The conference would be decided by the ruling body.

As you may have noticed, I've included two more teams in this conference than in the present Air New Zealand Cup. This is where the extra pair of teams would come from:

2) Conference Teams

a) Conference Structure

For the first year, the current 14 Air New Zealand Cup teams would be used, along with the top two Heartland Championship [or second-tier equivalent competition] teams. The decision to be promoted would be up to those unions. If either of the teams refused to be promoted, the franchise spot would either go up for commercial tender [see section 10a], or be offered to a third of fourth placed side.

b) Switch Years

Every fourth year a switch window would be available to teams. In this year a team can challenge another in order to swap conferences. In such an instance, the challenged union may decide the date and venue of the match. If the challenger beats the challenged team, the pair will swap. A team in the relegation zone cannot challenge another, nor can a team which has topped its conference in the switch year. These games can only be played in the bye week following the regular season, or the day before the grand final. The switch will not be immediate, but will come in to effect at the beginning of the next season.

c) Switch Length Clause

A team may not be involved in a switch year within 4 years of their last switch, or within two years of being promoted.

d) Playoff Teams In Switch Matches

A team advancing to the finals may not participate in a switch match.

e) Switch Match Deadline

The deadline for scheduling and agreement of all switch matches is week 7 of the regular season.

3) Promotion/Relegation

a) Promotion/Relegation Requirements

Every second season the team with the worst record in the entire competition will play a promotion/relegation match against the team which wins the Heartland Championship. The HC team will have the option to waive this match, in which case the HC team which lost the final will be given the option to play this game. If the second team also declines this invitation, no game will be played.

b) Scheduling of Promotion/Relegation Match

The HC team will decide the venue for this match, while the lowest-ranked ANZC team will choose the date - though it must occur within either the bye week, or the day before the grand final.

4) Competition Schedule

a) Conference Matches

Each team will play its conference stablemates twice, once at its home venue and once at the opponent's home venue. On top of this, they will play three opponents on a rotating schedule. Home and away matches will be scheduled as the season permits.

b) Match Schedule
Regular season matches will begin at the following times:
* Friday, 1935
* Saturday, 1335, 1735, 1935
* Sunday, 1335, 1735, 1935
* Monday, 1935
There will be no double-ups, unless a game has been cancelled [see section 4g].

b) Bye Week

There will be a bye week every season between the conclusion of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs. This week will not strictly be a bye week, as the promotion/relegation match may occur, and scheduled switch matches will be conducted.

c) Playoff Matches

At the end of the regular season, the four teams which top their conference will play a team which tops another division. The top-seeded team will play the fourth-ranked team, while the second-placed team will play the third. The higher-ranked team will always have home field advantage.

d) Seeding

Teams will be decided on their win/loss record. In the event that one or more teams end the regular season with a tie, the team which has scored the most points will be given deemed the better side. If this is also equal, the team which has conceded the least points will be treated as the better team. In the event that this is also even, the team boasting the player who has scored the most points will be deemed to be the higher-ranking side.

e) Cross-Conference Seeding

Even if two teams in one conference [or all four] are ranked higher than the top team in another division, the top team of each conference will always advance. The only exception to this is if a team has been found guilty of a salary cap breech [see section 7c].

f) Post-Season Scheduling

Following the bye week, one finals match will be played by each of the four conference-topping teams. The winner of these will compete in the grand final.

g) Match Cancellations

A match may be cancelled if the weather is too poor, or due to natural disaster. The decision to cancel a game will be made by the referee, one representative from each team and, if present, a representative of the NZRU. This decision will be made no later that 10 minutes after the scheduled commencement of the match. If a game is cancelled, it will be possible to hold it on Saturday or Sunday at 1535 without clashing with another match [where applicable] and those with tickets will be admitted free of charge upon presentation of this ticket, or given a full refund [barring booking fees]. If it is impossible to reschedule a match over the weekend, a game may be played on the Monday night at 1935. If this is impossible, the match will be declared a draw.

5) Ranfurly Shield

a) Ranfurly Shield Movements

The Ranfurly Shield may move between conferences.

b) Ranfurly Shield Promotion/Relegation

In the event that the Shield is held by a team playing a promotion/relegation match, the winner of that game will be the rightful holder of the Shield regardless of the venue.

c) Ranfurly Shield Match Schedule

The team which holds the Shield must put it on the line at every home match. As well as this, it must be put up for contention in two pre-season matches, and one road game during the season. The schedule for Shield matches must be announced at least four weeks prior to the beginning of the regular season.

d) Scheduling In The Event Of A New Holder

If a team manages to win the Shield, they must continue to put it on the line for all home matches. If the previous team has met the pre-season and road game obligations the new holder will not have to meet these requirements, but if this schedule has not been fulfilled then the new holder must fulfill these

obligations by the end of the regular season.

e) Ranfurly Shield In Post-Season

The Ranfurly Shield will not be contended in the post-season, unless the holder has not met the scheduling requirements. If these requirements have not been met the Shield will be put up for contention in all post-season games, including switch matches, played by that team that season. If a team beats the holder, they do not need to put the Shield up for contention in any remaining post-season games. This is the only time the Shield can be played for in a switch match or a finals match.

6) The Draft & Bonus Points

a) Inaugural Draft

In the first year of the new competition each team will be able to 'protect' 8 players. These can be any number of forwards or backs. These protected players will not be entered into the inaugural draft, they will remain with the team which chose to protect them. Next, the expansion teams from the Heartland Championship, or corporate team, will be able to choose 8 players - either from their original team or unprotected players - to protect. From here the draft will follow a NFL style system, though the picks for the first three rounds will be assigned by a random draw. The draft will then be conducted in reverse playing order, though if ten of the teams agree, the picks for the next round will be assigned at random. The draft will conclude when teams have 30 players, which can be either forwards or backs, but there must be at least eight forwards and seven backs. Teams may not trade draft picks in the first draft.

b) Future Drafts

Following the inaugural season, drafts will be conducted in the NFL style, with the worst team picking the first player. There will be three rounds in each year's draft.

c) Rookie Players

A rookie is classed as a player who has played no more than 40 minutes of Air New Zealand Cup rugby in any previous season. Rookie players acquired in the draft must be signed to a minimum contract of two years.

d) Draft Players

Any player wishing to play in the Air New Zealand CUp without a current contract may declare themselves for the draft, regardless of experience.

e) Bonus Points

Bonus points will be allocated to each team which scores four tries in a game, or holds a team scoreless. They will only be offered during the regular season. Bonus Points are not a tradeable commodity and will expire immediately at the conclusion of the draft at the beginning of the next season.

For example: In 2011 Southland score 4 tries in a game twice, and hold 5 teams scoreless. They chose to protect Scott Cowan in the third round of the 2012 schedule. This leaves them with two points, which expire immediately at the conclusion of the draft.

You may notice it is impossible to protect a player in all three rounds of the draft. This is intentional.

f) The Use Of Bonus Points

Bonus Points will not be used to decide the final standings of a team. Instead, they will be used in the draft. If a team wishes, they can use their bonus points to prevent a player from being drafted by another team. It will cost 10 points to protect a player in the first round, 7 for the second and 5 for the
third. Protecting a player does not mean a team must pick that man in that round or any subsequent rounds, but means that no other team can in that round.

For example: Manawatu may trade in 10 of their points to protect Aaron Cruden in the first round, but pick Richie McCaw. Cruden will then be unprotected in the second round and any team with a second round pick preceding Manawatu may choose him.

g) Following The Draft

Any undrafted players may be picked up by a team at any stage throughout the season, provided it stays under the salary cap and the terms of contract are agreed to by both parties. Drafted players will be signed to their new team.

h) Draft Scheduling

The draft will be held no earlier than two weeks after the conclusion of the Super Rugby competition, and no later than three weeks before the beginning of the Air New Zealand Cup.

i) Draft Broadcast

Exclusive broadcast rights to the draft will be put up for tender to television companies. These companies must also be able to stream the draft on the internet at no cost to the viewer.

7) Finances and Contracts

a) Salary Cap

The governing body will set a salary cap. This will be reviewed on a two-yearly basis. The salary cap will include the player's contract cost, as well as any other material gains they may receive from the union. This includes accommodation paid for by the union within their region, vehicles, holidays, and any other material objects. It excludes educational opportunities, such as tertiary study, medical treatment, physical rehabilitation, skills training or personal training programmes funded by the union.

b) Administrative Salary Cap

A separate salary cap will be set by the governing body, covering the contracts for all front-office staff, coaching and medical staff, and expenses for the union [such as travel and accommodation costs during away matches].

c) Salary Cap Breech Penalties

A union may voice their concerns about another union's potential breech of the salary cap at any time, however the decision to do so without sufficient evidence to back up such a claim may be penalised if they make false claims on a regular basis. If an investigation is launched and it is found a union has breached the salary cap the following penalties will be the maximum applicable:

* A reduction in salary cap for the following two years of up to 40% [the '30% Clause' may be waived by the governing body under these circumstances].
* The lose of 'Essential' status on that player. This will be unable to be reinstated until the following year.
* The automatic disqualification from any finals matches that team may be eligible for. Under this situation the next-highest-ranked team in that conference will take the place of this team.

d) Salary Structure

A salary will be incremental. For example a player on a $70,000, four year contract will make the following contribution to his team's cap:

Year One: $10,000
Year Two: $15,000
Year Three: $20,000
Year Four: $25,000

e) Rookie Salaries

A rookie must be signed to a minumum contract of two years.

f) Trades

A player may be traded between any union, either for another player or a pick in the next season's draft, provided that player is currently contracted to that union. No player may be traded in the first year of their contract. This includes re-signed contracts.

g) The 30% Clause

If a player is traded, the team which traded it will have 30% of that player's salary reduced from their cap in the following season.

For example: Waikato trade Brendon Leonard to Taranaki for the 2011 season, when he would have been paid $100,000. They lose $30,000 from their cap for the 2011 season.

h) Essential Players

Each union may allocate one forward and one back every four years as Essential players. Only 50% of these player's salaries will count toward the team's salary cap for the four year period they are tagged as Essential. Essential players may not be traded while this status applies to them. If a player retires, suffers a career ending injury or a lifetime ban, they lose this status. The team may not re-apply this status until the four year period is over.

There is no limit to how many times a player may be tagged as Essential over their career, and they may be given this status on consecutive occassions. New teams entering the competition will be able to allocate this status immediately after filling their team's roster.

i) Core Players and Relegation

If a team is relegated, they may choose five 'Core' players they see as essential to their team who must remain with them for the remainder of their contract. An Essential player is not automatically classed as a Core player. Should this team be promoted again, they will be given another two Essential selections provided neither of their two original players were chosen as Core players.

j) Releasing Players

A team may release a player to clear salary cap room. If this player is not in the final year of their contract, the team will incur a penalty of 35% of that player's salary being reduced from their cap for the next season. The salary of any released player must be paid, in full, for the current season, unless the player is released after breaking the law.

8) Governing Body

a) Governing Body Structure

The Governing Body will consist of the following: The NZRU Chairman and Chief Executive, a referees' representative elected by his or her peers, a players' representative elected by his peers, a coaches representative elected by his or her peers, a media representative elected by the previous board, an independent financial advisor, an independent legal advisor and a citizens' volunteer.

b) Governing Body Voting

Each member of the board will be allocated one vote in situations which require it.

c) Election of the Citizens' Volunteer

The citizens' volunteer will be elected following a series of interviews with the previous board. All applicants will remain anonymous, as will the successful person. As far as possible, all endevours will be made to ensure only the Chairman, Chief Executive and Secretary of the NZRU know the identity of the citizens' volunteer.

d) Confidentiality

Upon election all members will sign a confidentiality agreement, agreeing not to discuss matters from with anybody outside the group unless the NZRU release the information to the public arena. The citizens' representative will not be allowed to release their identity.

e) Compensation

The NZRU will pay for any accommodation, travel and expenses required to attend meetings. Only the financial advisor and lawyer will be paid to attend meetings. Aside from this, all positions are seen as voluntary and those on the board will not be reimbursed any further.

9) Broadcasting

a) Broadcast Rights

The rights to broadcast Air New Zealand Cup matches will be put up for commercial tender. The successful applicant is to arrange filming of all matches themselves, however, these broadcasts will remain the property of the NZRU. The successful applicant must be able to broadcast these matches live on television and over the internet. If the winner is a pay TV provider, refer to section 9b.

b) Free-To-Air Broadcast

Any subscription-based TV network which wins the rights to a match must allow the following to be broadcast on free-to-air television within 30 minutes of the match beginning:

* One match per season featuring each team.
* One Ranfurly Shield match per season.
* One finals match per season.

c) Monday Night Free-to-Air
Each week, one match will be played on Monday at 1935. Rights to this match will be sold in a separate package. This match may only be broadcast live by a free-to-air network. If a pay TV channel holds the broadcast rights for all other matches, they will receive delayed coverage for free.

d) Broadcast Schedule

The network which wins the rights to the broadcast will have executive control over when it decides to play these matches. In the event a pay network decides to broadcast a game on a delayed feed due to another significant event [such as the Olympic Games], an option must be offered to free-to-air networks to broadcast this game, at the pay operator's cost. These matches must still be streamed online live.

10) Corporate Ownership

a) One franchise will be able to be owned by a corporate entity. The board share will have the corporate owning 55% of the team, and the NZRU governing the other 45%. This franchise will have the same salary cap and financial restrictions as all other teams.

Obviously this isn't complete, because I realised it was an exercise in futility, but feel free to add/criticise things in the comments. Also, feel free to bitch about/love the decision by the NZRU to keep the comp at 14 teams.