BOP set to lose McQuoid overseas

Bay of Plenty rugby is set to lose another key player with midfielder Grant McQuoid confirming he's looking at shifting overseas.

McQuoid missed a spot in the Chiefs last week, despite another strong NPC season, especially in latter rounds when he adjusted to a switch to centre.

But that wasn't enough to keep a spot in the Super 14, with Chiefs coach Ian Foster preferring David Hill, Niva Ta'auso, Sam Tuitupou and Mark Ranby in his squad.

"I thought I would have got a contract from an outside point of view," McQuoid admitted.

"They've got a lot of stats these days and I've been over them -- there are some areas I didn't do well enough but in others I was doing quite well."

McQuoid, 26, is taking a philosophical view, however.

Wife Cherie has just given birth to son Quinn. He is a cherished addition to their family after they lost a baby last year hours after it was born.

With three mouths now to feed, he's wanting to build a decent future for his family.

"We're looking at a few options overseas, seeing what may come up. Ideally we'll get a contract and take off as soon as possible, so from that point of view it's a bit of a sad way to finish with Bay of Plenty.

"But we're quite excited by the chance to go and live somewhere else and do different things."

The former New Zealand Colt has had several approaches from overseas clubs, and has been linked with Japanese club Coca-Cola, where his former NPC skippers Clayton McMillan and Wayne Ormond are plying their trade.

McQuoid's expected departure leaves another huge hole in the Bay of Plenty midfield, although recruiting centre Justin Wilson in his place would help.

Bay of Plenty coach Vern Cotter confirmed they were talking with Wilson, who played 35 games for the province before transferring to Auckland in 2001.

He lasted two seasons there before moving to Wellington. The Rotorua-born 26-year-old is an accomplished sevens player and has played for the Blues (2001), the Hurricanes (2005), New Zealand A (2000) and New Zealand Maori (2003-04).

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES