So long, Bronson - thanks all the big hits

So long Bronson, thanks for the memories.
The saddest part of the Northland squad announce- ment was a couple of big gaps in the forward pack from last year's line-up.
Murray's name is the obvious one - the only SuperRugby forward the Taniwha had last year - he will now ply his trade for the opposition, specifically for the Bay of Plenty Steamers, against whom he played one of his more memorable matches last season.
Gone, we are told, because the union couldn't afford him - a victim of the professional rugby era.
But did Northland really try hard enough to give the 96-game veteran a chance to pass the 100-game milestone this season?
The rumour was that Murray wasn't offered a contract that matched his status but the big prop won't comment. No doubt he doesn't want his business to be aired in public, so fair play to him and uh ... good luck with the Steamers.
New Taniwha coach Adriaan Ferris said Murray's loss was a "big blow" but not a surprise.
He said Northland had become a province of opportunity, pointing to players such as Jared Payne and Lachie Munro, who had re-established themselves on the national scene after moving here to play.
A couple of new names in his squad will no doubt be hoping to do just that but it seems a shame that the Northland born and bred players have to go elsewhere.
Scott Vessey has been brought in to replace him but local hope centres on an injury-free season for Justin Davies to show what he has got.
Long term, Northland Rugby Union chairman Andrew Golightly has expressed doubts that fully professional rugby can be supported at the provincial level and an even more semi-professional competition will evolve.
He is hell bent on keeping the union's bank balance in the black this year and it seems one big-name casualty is worth the pain.
Also missing, although less of a surprise, is Dean Budd, who disappeared into the Land of the Rising Sun in April.
No doubt Northland did as much as they could - other than offer him huge amounts of money - to keep him here but the pull of the yen and heartbreak at not being picked up to play in Super Rugby saw him depart.
Budd was a real entertainer last season for the Northland faithful.
He scored as many tries as Jared Payne in the ITM Cup but a few missed tackles saw him marked harshly by prospective Super Rugby coaches. At least Budd is young enough to come back and give his Taniwha career another shot.
So long Bronson and thanks for all the big hits.