Sideline Sid - Sports blogger Sideline Sid is a local sport fanatic. Not only is he a classic rugby bloke but he has views, opinions and knowledge on all sports played in the Bay of Plenty.

The decision of the NZ Rugby Union, to do another U-turn and return to the 14 team Air New Zealand Cup next season is another symptom of how money dictates the moves and direction in sport today.
Make no mistake – the threat of court action and other options to retain the four provincial unions that were to be axed from what is effectively the National Rugby Championship, is driven by the almighty dollar (or lack of by the unions that faced relegation).

You can have some sympathy with the four that faxed the chop from the top echelon of provincial rugby. They are all in the David and Goliath battle, where after players are discovered and developed at age group level, they are enticed to the Super 14 franchise unions – often to do nothing more than warm the benches.
The unions that faced demotion are playing on a very uneven playing field. It is very hard to combat the money and resources that the Super Rugby brings to Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury.
The likes of Northland, Tasman, Manawatu and Bay of Plenty along with several others, are continually facing battle of balancing the books of professional rugby. Elimination from the top echelon would effectively see the Bay of Plenty become an amateur provincial union.
The ball is now firmly in the court of the national body, who must come up with a level playing field, no matter the number of teams that contest the Air NZ Cup. For my sixpence worth, the one common denominator to ensure even competition is a realistic salary cap.
No matter what the number of teams is in the top echelon in the future – the current situation will see the big city teams continue to dominate the competitions. A salary cap that is affordable by all national championship provinces and is strictly enforced is in my opinion the only way to a fair, and more importantly even top-level provincial rugby championship.
We only have to look over the ditch to the NRL to see a major professional competition where player selection and the right coaching staff is the key to success because of a strictly enforced salary cap.
On a positive note I can't wait for the holiday season, and the sporting events that will take place in the Western Bay of Plenty. The second day of the New Year brings the return of top quality cricket to the region when the HRV Cup hits town.
The Twenty20 blast between the six major cricket associations in the country will have a bonus this year, with the Black Caps available to play. Local interest will certainly be in the Northern Knights who will have up to six Bay players in their ranks.
The current hero of New Zealand cricket Daniel Vettori will be on show along with the Bays current Black Cap Daniel Flynn. Two Bay players who are likely to thrill the crowds with the ball are pace bowlers Trent Boult and Graeme Aldridge.
Other Bay players in the mix of Knights selection are the rising star of New Zealand cricket Kane Williamson, along with Te Ahu Davis and Jono Boult

Seeya at the game.