NEW ZEALAND RUGBY CLEANOUT UNLIKELY

Andy Haden, one of New Zealand rugby`s fiercest domestic critics, warns the public not to expect a total cleanout of the sport`s top administrative ranks.

Haden was responding to yesterday`s development when the country`s 27 provincial chairmen unanimously called on the entire board of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) to resign.

The provinces called for board members to step down and face fresh elections at a special meeting on September 17.

NZRFU chairman Rob Fisher, who took the job three weeks ago when his predecessor Murray McCaw stood down in the wake of the damning Eichelbaum report on New Zealand`s losing its sub-hosts status for next year`s World Cup, yesterday conceded that rugby`s administration needed a total cleanout.

Haden, though, cannot see that happening.

"I think there will be a fair few (board members) who will resurface," the outspoken former All Blacks lock said.

"They had a powerful enough political lobby to get themselves in there in most cases and most of that will still be around. You`d expect that would deliver again for many of them.

"A certain number of them will get back in."

Haden acknowledged there was a danger of losing valuable knowledge if everyone was swept aside as a result of New Zealand`s failure to retain its World Cup hosting rights.

"You do have to retain some of the knowledge which exists but there are a lot of things that are very simple to fix that need addressing at the NZRFU. Just the common courtesies and decencies that accompany business practices is the first thing."

Haden seems set to watch the continuing fallout to one of the ugliest sagas in New Zealand rugby history from the sidelines.

He all but ruled himself out of seeking a board position.

Fresh elections can be expected to lead to intense lobbying for positions on this country`s most influential sporting organisation.

Haden had no preferences of his own, but suggested the new chairman needed to be of international repute.

"You`d need to have someone at least known internationally and particularly known in the Northern Hemisphere and respected for his playing days and perhaps other things after that.

"(But) the place is festooned with lawyers at the moment who seem to find reasons why you can`t do things rather than reasons why you can."