Senio's transfer a sour taste for BOP

Kevin Senio's transfer to Canterbury has left a sour taste in Bay of Plenty (BOP) mouths and thrust another knife into an already reeling Steamers' rugby camp.

The All Black halfback confirmed yesterday that he was leaving Mount Maunganui, his home for the past three years, and heading to Christchurch on a two-year deal at the end of this season.

He'll link up with the Crusaders for the inaugural Super 14 competition, helping fill the void left by Justin Marshall, who is playing club rugby in England.

It's an obvious step for the 27-year-old, who would have had to start behind Byron Kelleher for the Chiefs.

The way Senio and his manager Bruce Sharrock have handled the move to Christchurch has baffled BOP officials.

Senio told his Steamers teammates two weeks ago he was staying with the province, just hours after the side had played Wellington.

Sharrock then asked BOP to resubmit their offer to the halfback. He intimated BOP would have to sharply improve their offer but didn't try to negotiate and only rang the union back yesterday to advise them Senio was departing.

The big loser in all the horse-trading and double-dealing was Senio himself, who admitted it had been a big distraction.

Southland halfback and fellow All Blacks contender Jimmy Cowan had the edge between the two last Saturday as the pair scrapped to impress the national selectors for a place on the All Blacks' Grand Slam tour.

"I just haven't been able to prepare as well as I'd hoped for some of the games in terms of mental preparation," Senio said.

"It's been bugging me, but I'm glad it's all done.

"The last two weeks have been really tough.

"I wear my heart on my sleeve and the boys know that. I just want to do what's best for me and try to pursue the opportunity to get a regular spot down there and push for higher honours."

Sharrock conceded there was nothing BOP could have done to match Canterbury's offer.

"It's no reflection on the Bay and the most agonising thing for Kevin has been the loyalty he's shown to them and they've shown to him," the Auckland-based agent said.

"But that's professional football and that's what happens."

Senio's wife, Silver Fern netballer Anna, is contracted to Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic next year. She will commute to Hamilton to play, although may base herself in Auckland with daughter Grace, close to family.

"Anna and I are aware we can't do this for ever. We've probably only got a couple more years left in us and we want to look back and say that we did our best, tried everything and took our opportunities," Kevin Senio said.

"We don't want to live with regrets, that's for sure. I have got a lot of memories and there are good people around here."

The only good news for BOP is that they'll receive a $50,000 transfer fee from Canterbury because of Senio's All Blacks status.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES