The New Zealand Rugby Union has given its clearest signal yet its main domestic competition is to be cut back.
But it may be possible to maintain a 14-team tournament, with the possibility of midweek games being aired.
Provincial unions, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and the national union are working through a process on possible changes to the Air New Zealand Cup which could take effect as early as next year.
Key principles have been agreed between parties, some of which were revealed last week, including the desire to have Super 14 players involved and a full round-robin and play-offs.
But yesterday it was revealed other principles included promotion-relegation, four or five guaranteed home games, a 10-12 week playing window and the competition to conclude by the end of October.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said the principles provided strong guidance for competition structures and options would be further developed.
"These principles mean the premier division of our domestic provincial competitions will feature fewer teams, and this was agreed by those present, providing meaningful competition is available for all 14 provincial unions which are currently in the Air NZ Cup," he told NZPA.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said the number of teams might be reduced, but there could also be midweek games, which would allow a 14-team competition to take place.
In the amateur days, northern teams used to travel south and play Canterbury, Southland and Otago within a week.
Reid said such scheduling was a possibility, but there were issues about midweek matches being financially viable for both the unions and broadcaster.
The players' association also had an agreement over the minimum time between matches but that agreement was being renewed and could be changed to include midweek matches.
Playing midweek would cut down on costs, he said.
He said promotion and relegation should be automatic, although there might have to be provisos around provinces moving up.
It was vitally important to have a secure club window, Reid said.
"Especially down here where the club scene is so vibrant. It hardly seems fair that you train with the same team for the year and then you get to the last three weeks of the season and the rep players are taken out.
"We're very supportive of having a protected club window, as club rugby is such a big part of community life."
The changes could come through as early as next year, as this year's arrangements were locked in.
The competition would have to be rescheduled in 2011, World Cup year, as IRB rules do not allow any other rugby competition to be played in the host country while the World Cup is in progress.
The national union would undertake financial modelling on the proposals and report back at the next meeting, in Wellington on June 20.
