Two teams are be dropped from a provincial rugby championship next year, though the New Zealand Rugby Union is not yet saying which ones.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has issued a draft review of the current 14-team Air New Zealand Cup.
The revised competition will consist of an 11-week round robin beginning in August, followed by a two-week finals series.
The New Zealand Rugby Union says the two teams to be dropped will be announced once the teams have been advised.
It says it plans to retain salary caps for players and reduce the current salary cap level.
Its board will ratify the draft review at a meeting on 25-26 September.
Northland Rugby Union board chairman Wayne Peters says it would be a disaster for the region's rugby if it were axed from the Air New Zealand Cup.
Mr Peters says the 14-team competition is working well and all provinces should be allowed to stay.
Mr Peters says he supports the proposal for a further reduced salary cap to distribute player talent more evenly among the provinces.
