Laulala wins his move south

By CHRIS RATTUE

Casey Laulala has won his battle to join Canterbury.

Counties Manukau has released the New Zealand Colt, after initially saying they would fight hard to hold him to the final year of an academy contract.

The Players' Association entered the fray this week and apparently played some part in helping Laulala sign up with Canterbury, where he has been chosen for a Crusaders development team.

Counties Manukau were persuaded that as Laulala had a contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union, through the Colts, he was effectively on secondment to the Steelers.

The NZRFU did not take a position but because Laulala was adamant about moving, financially challenged Counties Manukau could have ended up in deep legal waters.

Canterbury will pay second division Counties Manukau $15,000 above the $20,000 fee they were due for the transfer of a national colt.

Counties Manukau chief executive Daniel Clifford said they were persuaded that the player was not going to budge in his determination to move to the Canterbury union.

"It was a case of who was going to give ground first. The player certainly showed his resolve," Clifford said. "We had to make a practical decision considering the depths of our pockets."

The two unions, the NZRFU and players association held a number of discussions this week.

Yesterday's solution means the strength of the academy contracts has not been tested.

In effect, Canterbury have compensated Counties Manukau for two years of development work with Laulala. The Steelers have scored extra cash for their academy.

Canterbury and Counties Manukau released a joint statement, with Canterbury chief executive Hamish Riach saying he was delighted Laulala could fulfil his wish of playing for the province.