RUGBY - Both gain with Payne

The bait of Super 14 experience with the Crusaders certainly helped but the mission to land an elusive grand-daddy snapper proved to be the clincher for Northland rugby fullback Jared Payne.
The 22-year-old from Waikato has signed a two-year deal with Canterbury, but in a unique twist to his contract he will keep playing provincial rugby with Northland for the next two years.
It is an unusual condition but one that has found favour with Northland and the Crusaders who were looking for a fullback to step in a spot likely to be left vacant by All Black Leon McDonald. It all but guarantees Payne will move to Christchurch for next year's Super 14 campaign, an accomplishment that has underscored his decision to move north in the first place.
It might be the first time the rebound-style contract has been used with a Northland player, but it seems it won't be the last, with Northland and NZ Maori prop Bronson Murray poised to sign a similar deal.
For Payne, after struggling to find favour with Waikato and spending a year in the Mooloo squad but on the outer, it was a breakthrough moment.
It just so happens his new-found double life with Canterbury and Northland means he can continue his passion off the rugby pitch - fishing.
After signing his deal yesterday morning, Payne was out on a boat in the Bay of Islands yesterday afternoon hunting some elusive prey. "I'm pretty keen on my fishing, I have landed one or two decent fish but wouldn't mind landing that one 20-pounder. The fishing didn't have much to do with the contract to be honest, but it isn't a bad bonus," he said.
"It feels like quite a relief to get it signed and done actually. To get the chance to grab a spot in the Crusaders is a good feeling. It means everything has gone to plan. I have had quite a good season with Northland, been a bit lucky really."
Canterbury and Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said the deal worked well for the Crusaders, as it makes Payne available as a protected player for squad selection due on October 30. While it may seem unusual for the red-and-blacks to loan players back to Northland, it suited the Crusader cause.
Interim Northland chairman Andrew Golightly hoped Payne would be the first of many current Northland squad members to renew their contracts.
The chance to give Payne a platform to launch into Super 14 was a win for the union, and a sign that Northland have a part to play in developing talent.
"Jared has been one of the standout full backs of the Air NZ Cup and has formed a potent back three for Northland, with Rene Ranger and Fetu Vainikolo," Golightly said.
"While we would have liked Jared to have remained in the Blues franchise we appreciate the difficult decision he faced in choosing the Crusaders franchise. But we're also grateful for his loyalty to the Northland team and fans and him insisting that he be loaned back."