Auckland ban loan players from NPC clash

The Auckland Rugby Union has banned Bay of Plenty loan players Jason Chandler and Dale Rasmussen from playing in Saturday's NPC first division clash in Rotorua.

Auckland imposed the surprise ban last week, with ARU chief executive David White saying they were looking for any edge in this season's 11-team NPC first division.

Canterbury did the same two weeks ago, recalling lock Peter Bowden for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Nelson Bays.

With promotion-relegation back on between the first and second divisions, and the second-from-bottom team in the top grade also facing the chop, this season's NPC first division is expected to be the most cut-throat in a decade.

BOP stormed back into first division rugby on Sunday after a 10-year absence, upsetting defending champions Wellington 14-11.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union (BOPRU) chief executive Jon Brady was caught off-guard by Auckland's pre-emptive strike, saying nothing was mentioned by White during telephone conversations requesting Chandler and Rasmussen for the BOP team.

"It wasn't until I formalised things last week by putting it in writing that Auckland said Jason and Dale weren't eligible to play in the (August 18) game," Brady said.

"It was a big shock because we've always had a pretty good relationship with Auckland and a good flow of information between the provinces."

BOP coach Gordon Tietjens said the players were bitterly disappointed at being forced to stand down.

"Auckland didn't want them as part of their NPC campaign, releasing them to us, and then they turn around and say they don't want them playing," Tietjens said.

"Dale and Jason are really disappointed and so am I because they're two key players for us.

"They both had something to prove (to Auckland), particularly Dale who's had a big club season and close to making the rep squad up there, but now won't have that opportunity."

White - who took over at the helm of the ARU from Wellington this year - said it was now ARU policy to recall loan players for NPC games involving Auckland, except when they had gone to Super 12 franchise partners Northland or North Harbour.

"If they're loaned to support our Blues franchise they're eligible to play," White said.

"The NPC is a very competitive competition, we want to perform well this year and we believe doing what we have will give us an edge."

White understood Chandler and Rasmussen's disappointment at being denied a shot at their home province.

"They've obviously got a point to prove but the reality is, if BOP want these players fulltime they'll have to pay a transfer fee to us for them (during the November transfer period).

"What we've done is just a reality of life in division one. We'll be coming down expecting BOP to be very competitive anyway and we're not hiding the fact we want to secure every edge we can."

Brady said they knew before the season started that first division unions wouldn't extend the same level of co-operation they had enjoyed in the second division.

"It's a new ball game for us and I guess we're finding that out in a hurry."

Canterbury and Waikato had made no moves to recall their respective loan players - flanker Dallas Seymour and midfielder Damien Karauna - for games against BOP.

Ideally, Brady said, BOP wanted to exit the loan market altogether.

"Our long-term aim, three or four years down the track, is to be out of the loan market but we're still a developing union and our goal this year is one of survival."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES