THE New Zealand Rugby Football Union is taking a back-seat and allowing its provinces to decide how many foreign players can compete in the national provincial championships (NPC). David Rutherford, chief executive of the Union said that the national body has no business telling the provincial unions which players are allowed to play in the NPC. Rutherford said that it is up to the provinces to determine their own destiny. Two South Africans are likely to play in this year’s competition, with scrumhalf Joggie Viljoen playing for Northland and prop Morne van der Merwe joining Wellington. Most provinces will also be bolstered by Pacific Island players.