Auckland won't protest Shield result

9.15am

Auckland will not protest the result of yesterday's Ranfurly Shield rugby match despite the status of a Bay of Plenty player being called into question.

Auckland's shield reign ended when they lost their third defence of the season 28-33 to Bay of Plenty at Eden Park in Auckland.

Shortly after the NPC first division match it emerged Bay of Plenty may have technically infringed by fielding Colin Bourke as a substitute.

Bourke previously played for Hawke's Bay, and Hawke's Bay chief executive Ian Condon said the appropriate paperwork had not been completed to seal his transfer between the two provinces.

"As far as I'm concerned he's definitely a Hawke's Bay player ... I understand he's still a Hawke's Bay player," Condon told The Dominion Post newspaper.

A disagreement was still unresolved between Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty over a "technicality" concerning Bourke's release.

"They are aware of it and so are we."

Auckland chief executive David White said he was made aware of the issue shortly after yesterday's match.

He would not confirm who advised him of the matter but confirmed he received a call from Hawke's Bay.

White said he had informed the New Zealand Rugby Union of the issue, but Auckland would not be protesting.

"We are not forming any protest or anything. We have no expectation of retaining the Ranfurly Shield on the back of a technicality," White told NZPA.

"The New Zealand union have been informed and it's now up to them.

"You don't protest or anything because once they (the New Zealand union) get the facts they administer the competition."

Auckland might yet benefit, though, if it emerges that Bay of Plenty did breach the rules by fielding Bourke when his transfer was incomplete.

Bay of Plenty yesterday left Auckland with both the shield and four NPC competition points.

It is those competition points which may be in dispute as New Zealand union officials consider the issue today.

"If there was a breach we would expect they would do something. We don't expect the shield back. They beat us fair and square and the shield should stay in Bay of Plenty.

"However, it could have an impact on points," White said.

- NZPA