Canterbury shrug off Steelers' stand on Laulala

By CHRIS RATTUE

Canterbury are adamant they can sign national Colt Casey Laulala, despite the strong protests from Counties Manukau.

The 20-year-old centre wants to transfer to Canterbury and has already been chosen in a Crusaders development team, but the Steelers say he has a year left on an academy contract which he must honour.

The New Zealand Rugby Union told Canterbury yesterday that they would reveal their view on Laulala's status by Friday. But neither union will automatically abide by the NZRFU guideline.

Second-division Counties Manukau believe Laulala's situation is a vital test case about contract security for smaller unions wanting to get some service from players they have developed.

They are also desperate to hang on to their best players as they seek a return to the first division - something that is vital for the health of their union.

Steelers chief executive Daniel Clifford believes Laulala's contract is safe, and that the player has a responsibility to team-mates and the union.

But Canterbury chief executive Hamish Riach said yesterday that his union's legal specialists were certain that Laulala's contract did not bind him to Counties Manukau.

"It is somewhat complicated in terms of the contract and undertakings previously given to Casey," Riach said. "I don't want to debate the intricacies in the media ... but we have a view that he is in a position to be transferred.

"We agree with the importance of contracts, but you can't divorce that philosophy from special, individual situations. We believe the validity of Casey's contract is just that.

"I've always believed that the system must be under-pinned by player choice. Rugby players are entitled to make choices about where they play.

"As long as New Zealand rugby keeps that as a fundamental philosophy, they will have an honest and open system.

"We are very interested in the NZRFU's ruling, but we'll keep our options open."

Canterbury, who want to sign Laulala for three years, tried to transfer him there in November. He has already moved to Christchurch.

Meanwhile, Auckland kingpin Carlos Spencer is set to miss the Blues' pre-season matches to give his injured shoulder maximum recovery time. Spencer opted for rehabilitation rather than surgery after being forced out of the All Blacks' end-of-season tour.

The Blues play a trial against the Hurricanes at Waitakere on Friday night, then face the Brumbies in Wollongong on February 7 and the Reds on the Gold Coast four days later.

Blues manager Sean Fitzpatrick said Spencer would almost certainly be rested until the opening Super 12 match against the Waratahs in Sydney on February 21.