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Transfer trauma can't cool Shield fever |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Tuesday, 17 August 2004 |
BAY of Plenty has dismissed speculation they could lose the Ranfurly Shield over a fielding an ineligible player in their heart-stopping win against Auckland.
And their stance has been given an unlikely boost, with Auckland adamant they don't want rugby's most famous provincial trophy returned because of a technicality.
Hawke's Bay chief executive Ian Condon sparked a frantic morning for Bay of Plenty staff when he told a Wellington newspaper Steamers replacement loose forward Colin Bourke had not been properly transferred from his union.
The Bay of Plenty Times also understands Condon rang Auckland chief executive David White shortly after yesterday's thrilling 33-28 win to point out the alleged breach.
But White responded emphatically this morning, making it clear Bay of Plenty were the rightful holders of the Shield.
``We will not be involved in any form of protest,'' White said.
``We've got absolutely no expectation to get the Shield back, even if there was a technicality. We were beaten fair and square and we're moving on and just worried about playing Northland now.
``If there are any technicalities, the NZRU will go through it but the Shield will stay in Bay of Plenty.''
Condon claimed Bay of Plenty had not completed the paperwork for Bourke's transfer and when the 19-year-old came off the bench five minutes into the second half yesterday, the Steamers were in breach of NZRU regulations.
``As far as I'm concerned, he's definitely a Hawke's Bay player,'' Condon said. ``He played nine games for Hawke's Bay last year either as a reserve or a starter. I understand he is still a Hawke's Bay player.''
Hawke's Bay were paid a $15,000 transfer fee for Bourke on July 19. However, days after they received that, the union demanded an extra $1500 reparation from Bourke for a bonus they'd given him for making the New Zealand Sevens team.
Bay of Plenty approached the Players' Association and the NZRU for clarification.
With the Shield match approaching, Bay of Plenty opted to repay the money on condition the transfer papers were faxed from Hawke's Bay to the NZRU headquarters as soon as possible.
The $1500 was deposited with the Hawke's Bay union last Wednesday and office staff from both unions confirmed the money had gone through.
Bay of Plenty chief executive Paul Abbot was confident his union had worked to the letter of the law, and the fault lay with Hawke's Bay.
``Bay of Plenty manager Craig Morris has a letter from Hawke's Bay academy manager Liam Barry saying once the $1500 was repaid, the loan would go through, so we paid the $1500,'' Abbot said.
``There has been no complaint laid as far as I know. I'm bewildered on the whole thing, to be honest.''
Bourke played superbly when he came on, making several vital covering tackles.
The New Zealand Rugby Union could not be reached for comment this morning but are understood to be investigating the matter.
With Auckland not seeking the Shield back, Bay of Plenty still have the four NPC competition points at stake over this issue.
The precedent was set last year when North Harbour were stripped their points for for playing South African halfback Alcock in two NPC matches before his international clearance had arrived.
Alcock played in North Harbour's 15-3 win over Wellington and their loss to Southland. Wellington appealed after the NZRU originally fined Nth Harbour $7500.
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