A final check to ensure all documentation will stand a legal challenge, a grace period for communication and a chance to let the revamped Air New Zealand Cup get a slot in the spotlight are behind the NZRU's decision to keep the two teams to be sacked for the new 12-team tournament secret for now.
The unlucky two will only be revealed publicly next Tuesday.
For now the NZRU has been content to reveal the logistics of a smart new championship to be introduced next year to replace a 14-team tournament that has been running under financial strain for the past three seasons.
The politically and financially troubled Tasman alliance appears to be one province facing the chop while Northland, Manawatu, Bay of Plenty and Southland are other candidates for varying reasons.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said there were several ingredients in the decision to hold back on releasing the two unsuccessful provinces at this stage.
"We are mindful that we need to ensure a proper communication process - not just to the unions but also the parties affected like the coaches, players ...
"We are also ensuring that we have all the details that are put to the board completely nailed just in case there is any chance of any kind of appeal or legal process," said Tew.
When quizzed on the likelihood of an objection given the magnitude of this decision, Tew said: "We accept that's a possibility. Legal recourse is always the final step for anybody to take.
"But we are also confident that we have been incredibly inclusive in this consultation. We have been very open with the information."
Tew admitted there was also an element of allowing the rugby public to digest the changes that were announced on Wednesday without the added emotions.
"We think it's appropriate to take a deep breath, get the communication right, make sure that the documentation is 100%.
"It also gives this new-look competition an opportunity to be considered in isolation to the intensity of the discussion around who doesn't make it."
Tew confirmed that none of the current 14 provinces had indicated they didn't want to be involved next year.
That had made the NZRU board's decision on who would miss out even tougher.
"It's never easy to say to a community of people, rugby people in particular, that you aren't going to be part of the top echelon.
"That's one of the reasons why we gave all 14 teams a crack three years ago because they all said they could participate."
Tew said that while there were signs that on the field the teams were becoming increasingly competitive the reality was that away from the playing field it was a tougher situation.
"Ultimately we haven't been able to sustain it financially. So tough decisions have to be made and they have been made."
Tew said there was no alternative but to make cuts, especially when the Air New Zealand Cup was being weighed up into what was becoming an increasingly crowded calendar.
Next year it will follow on from a window of club rugby that the NZRU are keen to spotlight, perhaps even with a national finals format if possible.
The new-look Air New Zealand Cup will start in mid-August and will run for 13 weeks.
It will feature promotion-relegation match with the bottom placed Air NZ Cup side playing the top Heartland Championship side - if the lower division team wants to be promoted and the NZRU believe they can meet the financial consequences that come with that.
The Air New Zealand Cup will also feature a reduced salary cap to try to make the championship more competitive.
The NZRU are also keen to tweak the Ranfurly Shield as well.
Shield changes will require authorisation at a special meeting or the NZRU's annual meeting, but they could include the holders putting the shield up every match - home or away - once they have completed four successful defences.
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