Richard Loe: Muliaina seeking a far smoother ride

I don't think the Mils Muliaina transfer affair is quite the drama or the new era of professional transfers and province-swapping that people think.

This kind of thing has become a regular feature at this time of the year but, while it takes some getting used to players talking about leaving way before they actually leave, I don't think this is the first of a flood of departures or All Black province-hopping.

The Muliaina business - and here I must signal that this is speculation as opposed to informed comment - seems to have more to do with matters off the field.

I'm not really talking about the problems with his partner and the Auckland Rugby Union. Muliaina has said that didn't figure in his thinking although I'd be surprised. I'm sure he wants a clean break and a fresh start.

Most players would leave a province like Auckland either because they weren't happy or for more money.

Maybe, with Muliaina, it's a bit of both, although I note that Auckland have said they offered him the most lucrative contract yet.

What I was really referring to was the Auckland set-up. David White, the Auckland CEO, has been vocal with some comments when the NPC team and the Blues franchise were not going well.

Even in these days of professional rugby, players are still not quite used to the 'front office' playing a role in commenting on form and results. It's usually an area reserved for coaches.

What White has said has been quite pointed at times and, if it was me, I'd be tempted to go where the boss didn't have quite such a big say in things publicly and where the team environment is a little smoother. Again, I can't say with any certainty that this was the problem with Muliaina, although he did say he'd spoken to Ian Foster in negotiations and liked what he heard.

What I can say is that there's a bit of a question mark about Auckland, their 'systems' that everyone talks about and the climate within the camp. I am not sure how to explain that senior players leave and go elsewhere and do well but it does suggest that all is not well.

When Auckland did poorly in the NPC last year, Frank Bunce was the scapegoat given the chop. Well, while I can't say I know exactly what the problem was with Auckland, I'd hazard a guess that it wasn't all the fault of the defence coach.

Obviously some Auckland players - Carlos Spencer and Xavier Rush - have been seeking overseas assignments where the money is a key factor, as is the approaching end of their careers.

But you've also got to look at the likes of Mose Tuiali'i, Stephen Bates and Sione Lauaki. How come they didn't prosper in Auckland?

Contrast that with Reuben Thorne - captain of Canterbury for the NPC. He was satisfied with a good offer made by Canterbury and has chosen to stay in New Zealand.

I think that says quite a bit about Canterbury's systems and shows that the old loyalties are not quite dead yet.

Maybe it's just a question of what you feel loyal to.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY