KEY POINTS:
Hawke's Bay rugby coach Brendon Ratcliffe has been sacked.
No reason was given and Ratcliffe told NZPA this morning he had no comment to make today.
Hawke's Bay, along with Manawatu, Tasman and Counties-Manukau, was one of four new teams in the premier competition this year and finished well down.
A statement, embargoed until this morning, from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union said: "The Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union has terminated the employment of Brendon Ratcliffe as the Kelt Capital Magpies coach in accordance with the provisions of his employment contract."
Richard Hunt, the union's chairman, said its board had been in "discussions for an extended period with Brendon and his legal advisors and has been attempting to work through a process towards an agreed settlement and termination.
"This process has not been an easy one for all concerned but the board's priority is to ensure that the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union moves forward in a positive manner for the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup campaign," Hunt said.
The coach's job will be advertised soon.
Meanwhile North Harbour Rugby is advertising for a head coach after Allan Pollock's term expired this year.
Pollock has been asked to reapply for the job.
"The position is being readvertised according to North Harbour's policy of making leadership roles contestable when contracts end," a statement from North Harbour said.
- NZPA
