More than 200 people turned out to a meeting in the South Auckland suburb of Pukekohe on Monday night to support the Counties Manukau Rugby Union.
It is fighting for survival after turning down a financial bailout from the New Zealand Rugby Union.
The deal included a condition which meant Counties Manukau would have to drop out of the Air New Zealand Cup and play in a lower division.
Chief executive Phil McConnell says Counties Manukau has about $515,000 less than it needs for this year's budget.
He says now's the time for the region to unite and fight to save the future of Counties Manukau rugby.
