Battling Bay need plenty of cash

By CHRIS RATTUE

* North Harbour v Bay of Plenty

Don't be surprised if Bay of Plenty run out against North Harbour at Albany tonight with a "This Space For Hire" sign on their jerseys.

Bay of Plenty won the battle of the bottom last year and secured another all-important season in the first division, but it has hardly helped their financial situation.

Their problems are linked to the departure of coach Gordon Tietjens.

Bay of Plenty wanted Tietjens to commit solely to their side, rather than also coaching the national sevens team.

The province felt this was particularly important because the sevens campaign for the Manchester Commonwealth Games was so close to the NPC season.

But Tietjens did not want to relinquish his sevens job, so his Bay of Plenty reign came to an end.

But it was not only Tietjens who left. The Bay's chief sponsors, Koppers Arch Wood Protection, were not happy at Tietjens' departure, and departed themselves.

Bay of Plenty have been unable to find a replacement, and chief executive Jon Brady said it was a "major concern".

"It would cost a firm $150,000 to $200,000 a year, which we think is very good value. It costs $15,000 just for a 30-second commercial on television," said Brady.

"We will struggle through and we won't cut corners with the top side, but other areas will suffer.

"The whole sponsorship area has got very difficult. Major corporations think more globally these days rather than just staying in New Zealand. The Commonwealth Games and America's Cup have taken a lot of support."

New coach Vern Cotter has a new-look tight five that includes 21-year-old prop Guy Shepherdson from the Brumbies, 22-year-old prop Simms Davison, who has returned north after playing in Dunedin, and Natal lock Greg Rawlinson.

They have also secured Canterbury wing Jason Tiatia on loan, and fullback Grant McQuoid from Waikato.

North Harbour hope to welcome back All Blacks forward Troy Flavell.

He is named on the bench after recovering from a knee injury suffered early in the Super 12.

North Harbour coach Russell Jones said Flavell had trained with the squad for the past three weeks.

"We still have to make checks. If he comes out okay he will be on the bench. But we won't risk him if there is any doubt."

Flanker Matua Parkinson, returning from a wrist injury, is on the bench. But wing Karl Te Nana has a back problem and was unavailable.

Major interest will centre on 18-year-old first five-eighths Luke McAlister from the Silverdale club, a star at Westlake Boys' who has played for New Zealand schools and the national Colts.