James locked into Reds - and out of Taranaki

Record-breaking first five-eighths Brock James will not be playing for Taranaki in this year's NPC first division.

The Queensland Reds this week confirmed James would not be released. "Once you get a Reds contract these days, part of the contract is to play Queensland club football," Reds media manager Bruce McKendry said.

He said Reds squad member Julian Huxley, who appeared for Northland last year, was given an exemption to play in New Zealand, but only after his club commitments had lapsed.

The Queensland Rugby Union's stance follows the revamp and expansion of its premier club competition.

James signed a two-year contract with the Reds after being denied a possible move to the Hurricanes by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The 23-year-old Australian's control, goal-kicking and tactical skills made him a stand-out pivot for Taranaki in last year's NPC.

Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley said he had spoken to Reds coach Jeff Miller about James.

"With Brock, it was a situation that we felt he was probably good enough to make a [Super 12] team here in New Zealand and he was prepared to spend the time and become a long-term fixture.

"That was taken away from him by a couple of rulings and we just have to deal with that now."

Another blow for Taranaki fans hoping to see James back in the province was the news that Queensland's tour of New Zealand was also in jeopardy.

Queensland had planned to play Taranaki on July 24, and against Canterbury and Hawkes Bay.

McKendry said those plans were now in doubt after a number of Queensland clubs protested about the tour.

- NZPA