CR Colin Weatherall says he was at Wednesday's council meeting in spirit, despite being more than 1200km away.
He said yesterday he had agreed a year ago to attend the national surf-lifesaving championships in Gisborne and decided not to change his plans when the extraordinary meeting was called last Friday.
He said he kept in touch with a council staff member by email throughout the evening.
Cr Weatherall, an ORFU board chairman in the early 2000s, said he would have supported a rescue package because it meant there was a chance half or more of the $400,000 owed to the council by the ORFU would be recovered, and that money owed to other creditors might also be paid.
"I would have supported it on the basis that 50% of something is a bloody sight better than 50% of nothing.
"I also have huge sympathy for the ORFU's small creditors. If the ORFU is able to continue there is a high likelihood they will get some or all of what they are owed."
Cr Bill Acklin said he left the meeting after "three to four hours" because he had a prior commitment to attend another meeting in the evening.
The council meeting began at 2pm and official council records show he left at 4.49pm.
He said he would have supported a package because it would ensure professional rugby was retained at the stadium and the ORFU could continue to organise "grassroots" rugby in the city.
