Rugby: Jane angered by Wellington omission

Unwanted Wellington fullback Cory Jane is considering being loaned out to another Air NZ Cup province to get some game time. Photo / Getty Images

Disillusioned Wellington fullback Cory Jane has threatened to play for another Air NZ Cup rugby province on a loan basis this season after a second selection snubbing.

Jane is one of the three All Blacks who will play for Wellington B against lowly Horowhenua Kapiti at Waikanae on Saturday.

He, halfback Piri Weepu and prop Neemia Tialata aren't wanted by Wellington coach Jamie Joseph, who believes the sporadic return of All Blacks between test matches is disruptive to his side.

However, All Blacks No 8 Rodney So'oialo is likely to play for Wellington in their match against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Saturday as they have loose forward injury issues.

Jane was released by All Blacks management one week earlier than the others so was available to play against Hawke's Bay last weekend.

He wasn't selected and a second omission this week left him investigating other options for quality game time.

"I'd prefer to stay in Wellington but if I didn't have the Wellington Bs or anything to play for, then we all talked about being loaned to somewhere to get some game time," Jane told Radio Sport.

"We've got a game this week for the Bs, but the boys are still thinking about that (being loaned)."

Jane wasn't required off the reserve bench in either of the Tri-Nations losses to the Springboks so hasn't played since the defeat of Australia on July 18.

"I told them I was pretty pissed off when I came back and hadn't had a meeting with them and was told they didn't want me," he said.

"I said `look, if I go to another team and I play this year, then I don't want to be called back, I want to up there and enjoy it with that team."

Wellington Rugby Union chief executive Greg Peters understood Jane's anxiety but stood behind Joseph's policy, which has closed the door on players who won't take a full part in this season's campaign.

"We fully support what Jamie's trying to do here," Peters said.

"We're trying to prepare a team to retain the Ranfurly Shield in Wellington, which is a very important goal for us this year."

Peters said the unwanted All Blacks had voiced concern after hearing of their fate.

"Some of them, when they first got off the plane from South Africa, didn't fully understand the reasoning behind that," he said.

"We've since met with them, both Jamie and myself, and we've explained it... hopefully the shield's as important to them as it is to the rest of the team.

"All these players are loyal, long-serving players but in this instance it's a scheduling issue. We've got an unusual Tri-Nations programme."

Peters has held discussions with New Zealand Rugby Union officials, who weren't completely onside with the Wellington stance.

"They might be disappointed by it and they'd like to see these guys on the track but they fully understand the rationale behind the decision.

"We've facilitated some rugby for these guys."

- NZPA