Rugby: Collins says sayonara to Steamers

It's sayonara to star Bay of Plenty rugby midfielder Nick Collins, who has quit New Zealand for a lucrative two-year deal at leading Japanese club Sanyo.

Collins, who failed to secure a Super 12 contract this season after shoulder surgery midway through last year's NPC, leaves next month.

He was contracted to Bay of Plenty for another 12 months, but was able to get out of the NPC deal through an out-clause that rendered the contract invalid if he wasn't selected for Super 12.

The 26-year-old centre is the fourth player to leave the Chiefs franchise in six months, following skipper Deon Muir and Royce Willis (Japan) and Bruce Reihana (Britain).

Collins joins former All Black second-five Walter Little at Sanyo, based an hour out of Tokyo, with the company/club part of Japan's new elite 12-team championship.

Signed by former Bay of Plenty coach Gordon Tietjens two years ago, Collins' NPC presence for the Steamers has fluctuated because of a recurring shoulder injury.

He missed the opening month of the 2001 season following an operation, and was sidelined for the second half of last season when the injury flared again.

He eventually opted for a second shoulder reconstruction mid-season on the advice of the Chiefs medical team, yet still missed out on a professional contract.

Collins leaves just as his shoulder is coming right and the door to the Chiefs seemed to be opening.

Coach Kevin Greene phoned last week, wanting Collins to join the squad as cover for injured All Black Keith Lowen.

Because he had already signed for Sanyo, Collins said no to the Chiefs and his Bay of Plenty team-mate Dale Rasmussen was promoted instead.

Collins missed the Super 12 cut but was on a New Zealand Rugby Football Union retainer, although it wasn't enough to sustain him as a professional rugby player.

"It was always a 50/50 call with Super 12 (selection) anyway because the injury meant I wasn't going to be ready for the early season training, although I'd always timed my comeback to be ready to play by February.

"I was a bit disappointed not to get the chance to train with the team at least."

Collins was put into the player draft leading up to the Super 12 teams being selected, but his injury, coupled with confusion over exactly how the draft works, meant he wasn't picked up.

"You've got to wonder what's happening in New Zealand rugby, and the Super 12 draft, when guys like Mark Robinson and Craig Newby (both North Harbour) miss out.

"I don't put myself in the same category -- they're both All Black material -- but it's pretty hard to see how they were overlooked."

Collins and his partner Janine Edmeades were looking forward to new experiences in Japan.

"My biggest disappointment is leaving Bay of Plenty having not played a full season yet. They're a great bunch of guys here but the injury meant I never really got a full crack with the Steamers."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES