Black Ferns captain Farah Palmer is warning the axing of the women's National Provincial Competition could be the death knell for women's rugby.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has cancelled this year's competition, blaming funding.
Black Ferns captain Farah Palmer says it could be the death of women's rugby.
The Black Ferns won the last three Women's Rugby World Cup and hope to win do so again in August.
Labour Party sports and recreation spokesperson Chris Hipkins says the New Zealand Rugby Union should reconsider the decision.
He says Sport & Recreation New Zealand should shoulder some of the blame.
But the New Zealand Rugby Union says the axing of the provincial competition won't have an impact on the performance of the Black Ferns at the World Cup.
Professional rugby general manager Neil Sorensen if hopeful the women's series will be back next year if the NZRU is in a position to do so.
