Plug pulled on Japanese flanker's NPC hopes

By CHRIS RATTUE

North Harbour have farewelled their Japanese import Hajime Kiso after the World Cup forward had his NPC hopes dashed by homeland rivalries.

Kiso played for Silverdale, who have a partnership with his Yamaha club. He was named as a blindside flanker in the Harbour NPC squad and was set to become one of the first Japanese players in top-class rugby here for more than 30 years.

North Harbour understand that clubs demanded an often-ignored rule concerning eligibility of players for the Japanese Top League competition be enforced.

That meant systems engineer Kiso had to choose between quitting Yamaha or returning home before the end of August so he could play in the Top League, which begins mid-September.

There is some mystery over the saga, as other Japanese have played overseas - although usually in lower-grade competitions - then returned midway through the Top League.

Kiso is one of the few Japanese stars in the Top League, and Harbour coach Allan Pollock said rival clubs apparently did not want him gaining the sort of experience that would give Yamaha a major edge.

"They take their rugby extremely seriously over there," said Pollock, who this year returned from Japan where he coached Toyota.

Southland have selected another Japanese World Cup player, Naoya Okubo, in their NPC squad. The blindside loose forward can remain in New Zealand, however, because he quit Suntory before heading to Invercargill.

The Harbour players gave Kiso a signed jersey at a farewell ceremony yesterday, and he will leave on Friday to join Yamaha at a training camp on Australia's Gold Coast.

"We had the Henry rule and now Japan has the Kiso rule," said Pollock, tongue in cheek.

"There is a bit of sadness about it . . . the team had really taken to Kiso. They liked him and they could see he had ability. I feel sure he would have got games for us."