Harbour NPC trio heading to Japanese clubs

By CHRIS RATTUE

North Harbour have lost Rua Tipoki and former All Blacks Glen Osborne and Liam Barry for this year's NPC.

The trio are heading to Japan and while Harbour are hopeful that Tipoki will return to their colours, veterans Osborne and Barry's days with the province may be over.

Tipoki has signed a one-year contract, with the option for another season. North Harbour chief executive Doug Rollerson said the midfield back needed a breather after missing Super 12 selection.

There were also off-field problems that had clouded his career.

"He's in the top half-dozen midfield backs in the country, so obviously it is something besides his playing ability which has kept him out," Rollerson said.

"People have tagged him a bit and maybe unfairly - young men do make mistakes and it all got a bit out of control. But I would like to think we'll see him back here."

Osborne and Barry returned to the Harbour ranks last year after playing overseas and were seen as important influences. Osborne is heading to the Ricoh club and Barry to Kubota.

Barry originally indicated he wanted to finish out his career in New Zealand, but Rollerson said he failed to get a contract to match what he could earn in Japan. Osborne wanted to "secure his family's future."

"It's the same old problem. There are never any arguments over the first 130 players to get Super 12 contracts, but the problem is always with the last 12 or 15," Rollerson said.

"Often it's just the nod of the head over who gets the contract, but it makes all the difference to their careers, and New Zealand will only pay players in the Super 12.

"It always seems to affect the provinces who are not Super 12 bases. But we've got good young players coming through."