Wellington Rugby boss James Te Puni faces an uncertain future as the union braces for job losses and a board shakeup following a major review of its operations.

It's unclear exactly how far reaching the WRU's review has been, but with a $500,000-plus deficit for 2014 on the horizon, staff at the union's Newtown headquarters are expecting bad news at a meeting on Thursday when their employers look to cut their cloth.

It is understood the dual WRU and Hurricanes chief executive role currently held by Te Puni will be split into two independent jobs, one for the province, the other for Super Rugby.

Which role Te Puni seeks under the new structure is unclear, but whoever is running Wellington rugby could be answerable to a new-look board of directors, with Paul Collins set to step aside in March as the two entities look to focus more independently on their governance and operations.

The review was a response to the union's poor management of the Wellington Sevens, growing frustration among Wellington rugby clubs over the union's governance, and a perception the Hurricanes have taken priority over what's best for the community game.

Club delegates will be pleased that the WRU's board of directors is set for a makeover, but just how dramatic that is remains to be seen.

Collins won't seek reappointment when his term as a director comes up in March, while Craig Sim has moved to Australia due to work commitments.

However, current WRU chairman Tony Duffin, who previously said he would stand down after six years at the helm, is understood to have decided to stand for re-election as a director, while deputy chairman Iain Potter will also make himself available for another stint.

The changes come in the wake of a wide-ranging review conducted by Wellington-based accountant Bruce Wattie last year of the WRU's operations and governance.

With the WRU set to announce a disastrous financial result for 2014 because of the flagging fortunes of the Wellington Sevens, Duffin's decision to seek re-election will raise the hackles of some within the union.

Frustrations in the community game were not helped by the Wellington Lions dismal interprovincial season, and the controversial appointment of new coach Earl Va'a only exacerbated the tension.

But mostly, the union's problems are financial.

After previously banking about $1 million a year for managing the annual Wellington Sevens party, the local union has been left carrying much of the can for ticket sales that fell last year and plummeted last week to about 18,000.

It is understood the union is forecasting another big deficit for 2015 due to existing contracts.

Both Wellington rugby and the Hurricanes are in need of some good news and the Super Rugby side's on-field fortunes have never been so important.

If new coaches Chris Boyd and John Plumtree could produce a winning season and a playoff berth it would alleviate pressure on several fronts.

Success would bring back crowds to Westpac Stadium, which would in turn provide a financial fillip to the Hurricanes, who are 50 per cent owned by Wellington Rugby.

Te Puni was reluctant to comment yesterday, saying he would not do so until his staff had been fully informed, but said the review had clearly indicated the WRU's need to look at the costs within the business.