ORU to slash wage bill

THE OTAGO Rugby Union will cut $400,000 off its player wage bill as it looks to trim costs.

Former All Blacks and Otago coach Laurie Mains has also confirmed he is not seeking re-election to the ORU board after two years’ service.

The union – which is set to record a huge financial loss – had a player wage bill for last year which totalled $1.1 million.

Chairman Wayne Graham says part of the union’s cost-cutting solution would be to trim that cost by $400,000.

“The reality is the ITM Cup has become a semi-professional competition where players have to have another job or be a student,” he told the Otago Daily Times.

“The model is stretched to its limit and we have got to make some changes. Every union round the country is the same. They are all feeling the pressure.”

Meanwhile, Mains is stepping aside from his board position as he has taken over the ownership of the Invercargill branch of G.J. Gardner and wants to concentrate on business ventures.

He also has franchises in Dunedin and Queenstown.