Inspirational Steamers skipper quits

By JAMIE TROUGHTON
Lightweight opposition backs can rest easy. Feeble front-rowers can stop cowering in the bottom of rucks and mauls. The memorable NPC rugby career of Bay of Plenty captain Wayne Ormond is nearly at an end.
The fearsome New Zealand Maori and Chiefs loose forward will play his last match for the Steamers against Northland at Blue Chip Stadium on Saturday, after signing a deal to play in Japan.
He has been released from the final year of his contract with Bay of Plenty.
Ormond, who led the Steamers throughout their historic 2004 season, is joining the Coca-Cola club early next year after seven seasons with Bay of Plenty and three years of Super 12.
It's a huge blow to the Bay union, which is set to farewell a handful of top-line players after the season-ending Northland game.
Halfback Kevin Senio has already confirmed he's moving to Canterbury, while fullback Adrian Cashmore and veteran Paul Tupai are heading overseas. Several other players are awaiting Super 14 selection before deciding if they'll go too.
The announcement comes with Bay of Plenty sitting second-to-last on the NPC table after a disappointing season, although they could rise as high as seventh if they beat Northland.
"It's a hard call, especially after the season that we're having," Ormond said. "It's been a hard season and I don't want it to seem like I'm running away from the boys but I think the timing is right for me to go."
Ironically, the 28-year-old is joining the same club as Clayton McMillan, his immediate predecessor as Steamers captain, who left at the end of 2003.
McMillan, who is helping coach the Coca-Cola team this year, approached his good friend Ormond shortly before the NPC started when former Otago player Kelvin Middleton didn't renew his contract.
"Providing he displays all the qualities that have made him a player of distinction in New Zealand, he will do extremely well in Japan," McMillan said.
"With my own reputation at stake, I wouldn't have mentioned him to the company if I didn't think he would make the impact that will be expected of him in Japan."
Ormond is a staunch family man and he admitted the money was good in Japan and he had to start collecting on that for the sake of his family, wife Yvonne, three-year-old son Raureti and daughter Te Kahui-o-te-rangi, 6.
His children and nephews are usually the first ones in the changing rooms after every Bay game, while he enjoys huge support from his Rotoiti club and their supporters. The 64-game veteran said he was dedicating Saturday's match to them.
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union wants to do its part too. Chief executive Paul Abbot said the union was planning a suitable send-off for the departing players and he hoped the public could show their appreciation.
"It's a big blow losing the experience of these guys but our priority this week is just giving them a huge farewell," Abbot said. "They've been outstanding servants of Bay rugby and we'd love to see a big crowd on Saturday at Blue Chip Stadium to help us say thank you to these guys."