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Laying down the law: Tasman coach Bevan Cadwallader and his Makos - Source: Photosport -
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His high-flying side may be facing the chop but Tasman rugby coach Bevan Cadwallader isn't interested in talking politics, reports tvnz.co.nz's Chris Matthews
Tasman, Counties-Manukau, Manawatu and Northland are the unlucky quad heading for the chop but there remains one problem child for the NZRU.
The latter three, as forecasted, are at the back of the pack, but the Tasman Makos have followed up their quarter-final berth last season with another strong showing.
They are currently fifth on the competition ladder, just one point outside the top-four, so surely this should make the NZRU think differently?
You might think so and I might think so, but Tasman rugby coach Bevan Cadwallader, who has been with the fledgling union from the start, says he isn't a mind reader and has no idea if that will make a difference in the end-of-season wash-up.
"I've got no idea what goes on at board level," Cadwallader told tvnz.co.nz.
"I've got no idea what their thinking is, but they have identified us as one of the teams for the chop, so we'll just keep on doing what we're doing."
To be fair, Cadwallader has been here before. Last season, when he was the assistant coach to Todd Blackadder, his union was faced with demotion along with Northland before the NZRU did an almighty u-turn.
He didn't get caught up with politics then and he is not getting caught up with them now, but surely knocking over big unions such as Waikato and Auckland is sending a signal?
"Like I said mate, we haven't got a clue what the NZRU plans are," he says.
"To us it's a ludicrous idea anyway.
"We're just playing and enjoying being in the competition and long may it continue, but that's totally out of our control really."
But it appears the towns of the Marlborough region, Nelson and Blenheim, are banding together to "Save the Mako".
That sign has been the catch cry of a union and populous that was once infamous for cross-town wrangling and Cadwallader agrees that the community support has been huge.
"Yeah we've got great public support and I think we have been impressed by the rugby public. A lot of the players are local boys and with family and friends the support level is really high.
"And I think there is a really positive vibe around at the moment and it comes with a fair bit of sadness if we do get the chop."
