We received this email from Clive, a life-long Bay fan living in Auckland.

Whats going on? I have been a loyal BOP supporter since my schoolboy days in Whakatane back in the late 1950’s. I have lived in Auckland since 1965 but continue to support BOP team to the hilt in good times and in bad. Indeed I wear my BOP jersey with a great deal of pride.

However, I have never in 50 years of watching Bay rugby, seen a more gutless, bumbling, inept display of rugby as that dished up against Manawatu.

As a loyal fan, I believe I am entitled to criticise, and vent my disappointment at this sort of display. There seems to be not out and out “guts” in the team any more. There seems to be no teamwork, and all are playing as individuals going for the million dollar, photo in the paper opportunity. I do not expect wins all the time, in fact some of the efforts against Canterbury and Auckland were quite gutsy for a while, until the white flag went up. But the displays against Northland and Manawatu have been abysmal. Where is the traditional BOP “FIRE that used to put the fear into opposition. It sure as hell is not there at the moment.

I think all in the team should study themselves in the mirror and consider whether they have what it takes to be in the team and to uphold the proud traditions of this mighty Union . Forget the individual stuff and play for one another and the fans. I would like to see them all post a statement on the mafia site committing to respecting the jersey that so many gutsy, proud players before them have worn. If they can’t do that, then make way for those that want to play for the Bay, and who really would be proud to do so.