There's been an election surprise at the New Zealand Rugby Union annual meeting in Wellington with the Hawke's Bay chairman Richard Hunt getting onto the board ahead of the Hurricanes chairman Paul Collins.
They were contesting the Central Zone position Jock Hobbs vacated when he resigned due to ill health.
The Appointments and Remuneration Committee had recommended Collins so the vote suggests the smaller unions want more say in how the NZRU is run.
Hunt, who's a successful businessman, has been a strong advocate for regional and provincial rugby after long involvement as a club and representative player, club and representative coach and as an administrator
He's been elected for the remainder of Hobbs' term which ends in April next year.
