Rejected Urlich heads for Japan

By CHRIS RATTUE

North Harbour loose forward Blair Urlich hopes to resume his career in New Zealand after a stint in Japan.

For now the 28-year-old - who had two years left on a North Harbour contract - will be lost to the New Zealand game after signing a one-year deal with the Mitsubishi club.

Urlich, who first played for North Harbour in 1998 and the Blues in 2001, was left disappointed and confused by the Super 12 selection system after failing to make the Blues.

His status was also mysteriously questioned because he has previously played for the Croatian sevens - even though Urlich said there was no doubt about his New Zealand eligibility.

Urlich said the New Zealand Rugby Football Union retainer was not enough to train as a professional.

North Harbour chief executive Doug Rollerson believes the chances of the Kaitaia-born Urlich's return are slim.

But Urlich said: "I preferred to stay because I didn't feel I'd reached my goal in New Zealand.

"I got as far as New Zealand Maori and I was very proud of that. Hopefully there would have been a few more years of that to come.

"I've only signed a one-year deal. I'd like to carry on here but I'll have to see if that's possible. "

Urlich made up for a lack of size with a series of committed performances which won him Blues selection.

But he dipped out this year to No 8s Xavier Rush and Ron Cribb and the emerging Angus Macdonald. He was a strong candidate again for the New Zealand Maori side, who have now lost two No 8s, Urlich and Deon Muir, as they prepare for matches against Tonga and England this year.

"The system needs looking at," said Urlich. "In Australia they seem to have some players who, even though they missed the squad, are looked after and paid."

Urlich owns furniture and gift shops in Ponsonby Rd, which he will put under management before he, his partner Nikji and four-year-old Luka head to Japan. One of his first jobs will be learning Japanese.

Rollerson said Urlich was bitterly disappointed at missing the Blues.

"He was considered one of the better loose forwards in the Super 12 last year and now he's gone. He was committed to North Harbour but he's got to make some money. We've still got Craig Newby, Matua Parkinson and Ron Cribb in our loose forwards and some developing players coming through, but we're losing depth."

Meanwhile, the Waratahs have included league converts Lote Tuqiri and Nathan Blacklock in the side to play a warm-up against the Chiefs in Mt Maunganui on Thursday.

The Chiefs may rest star openside Marty Holah again - unless Scott Couch does not recover from a neck injury. Backs Kevin Senio and Dale Rasmussen have been brought in as injury cover.

The Blues are set to take a full squad to Australia on Thursday, for matches against the Brumbies on Friday and the Reds four days later.

Waratahs: Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Burke, Nathan Grey, Scott Staniforth, Duncan McRae, Chris Whitaker, David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Omar Hassanein, Van Humphries, Tom Bowman, Patricio Noriega, Adam Freier, Matt Dunning. Brendan Cannon, Rod Moore, Jono West, Des Tuiavii, Paul Sheedy, Morgan Turinui, Milton Thaiday, Al Baxter, Simon Kasprowicz, Ryan McGoldrick, Nathan Blacklock.