Auckland team force about-turn on ban for loan players

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland have adopted a "bring it on" attitude towards playing against former teammates on loan to Bay of Plenty after a quick pow-wow yesterday on the simmering controversy.

After listening to the public debate, Auckland's players met yesterday and urged chief executive David White to allow the loan pair to play against Auckland on Saturday.

"Our players were concerned about the negative vibes on the matter and asked if the ARU's decision could be altered," said coach Wayne Pivac.

Auckland had loaned Jason Chandler and Dale Rasmussen to BoP for the season but decreed that neither should play against their original union in the NPC. The reason given was that Auckland wanted every edge in the competition.

Though no one from the ARU would make any other comment, it is understood that the clause was put in the agreement because BoP had been wooing some players without telling Auckland.

But when the row erupted this week, the Auckland players felt uncomfortable about the ruckus and asked the ARU to change its mind.

White said that because of the wishes of the team the ARU would waive its policy about not allowing loan players outside the franchise area to play against Auckland.

"The ARU will be reviewing its loan policy at the end of the season to avoid these issues in the future," he said.

Auckland have made one change to their side. Lock Bradley Mika is out of rugby for a month with a knee injury and his place is taken by the seasoned Robin Brooke. Ali Williams comes into the reserves.

The Bay have delayed naming their team until later today.

One player who will not be there is prop Steve Simpkins, who has been suspended until August 27 by the New Zealand Rugby Union judicial committee.

Simpkins was cited for foul play after an incident at a ruck during the shock 14-11 win over Wellington in the capital last Sunday.

Simpkins will miss only one NPC game as BoP have the bye in the third round of games on August 24-26.

When Rotorua hosts the Auckland game on Saturday it will continue the crop of top matches there this season. The Chiefs played three matches there and the NZ Maori twice in games against the Wasps and Argentina.

The win over the defending NPC champions Wellington gave the Bay their best possible start in their bid to remain in division one.

"Realistically it is going to be a pretty tough year," coach Gordon Tietjens warned.

"It should be remembered that Northland lost every game in their first year back in division one while Southland have won something like three games in as many years."

Tietjens thinks his side this season is a shade stronger than the group which earned promotion last year. Their fitness and concentration levels have improved significantly for them to last full games at a higher level.

"The players are slowly realising the importance of fitness," said Tietjens.

Auckland: Mils Muliaina, Iliesa Tanivula, Eroni Clarke, Jeremy Stanley, Joeli Vidiri, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine, Samiu Vahafolau, Justin Collins, Xavier Rush (capt), Robin Brooke, Charles Riechelmann, Christian Califano, Keven Mealamu, Nick White. Res: Justin Wilson, Amasio Valence, Kevin Senio, Stephen Bates, Ali Williams, Paul Thomson, James Christian.