Rugby: Pending loss of talent highlights growing problem

What is looming as one of New Zealand rugby's biggest problems, retaining talented players, but those not quite in the elite All Black bracket, has been illustrated with the pending loss of two of North Harbour's most promising forwards.

Harbour union chief executive Brett Hollister confirmed yesterday that loose forward Tom Chamberlain had been lured away for next year's inaugural Super 15 by the new Australian franchise, the Melbourne Rebels.

And utility forward Richard Mayhew, who has had 20 provincial games for Harbour in the past three seasons and has been a successful captain of his Northcote club side, is likely to go to Japan at the end of this season's ITM Cup.

Several New Zealand provincial players appear to be in the Rebels' sights and earlier the franchise secured Chiefs member and 2008 one-test All Black Kevin O'Neill.

Hollister hoped that once Chamberlain had finished his Super 15 season, and depending on how many matches he played, he might still continue at New Zealand provincial level with Harbour.

But that could not be guaranteed as to play for the Rebels Chamberlain would have an Australian union contract and he would have to be released to reappear in New Zealand provincial rugby.

A New Zealand under-21 representative in 2007, Chamberlain played 29 times for Harbour in the 2007-09 seasons. He was in the Blues Super 14 squad in each of the past two seasons, playing three matches in 2009 and four this year.