The New Zealand Rugby Players' Association have outlined a plan to replace the governing body if the vote at next week's special general meeting goes against them.

Last year's independent review formed the basis of a proposal to overhaul the governance structure.

Canterbury Rugby chair Pete Winchester says this eleventh-hour update is likely to galvanize people.

"We've been dealing with this for months and months, and it's the first time - just to turn up to a Zoom meeting and get told this threat of what might happen, it caught people by surprise."

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