Bay bitter over Bourke ruling

1.00pm

The Shield and NPC points are safe -- but Hawke's Bay rugby officials shouldn't expect any Christmas cards from their Bay of Plenty counterparts this year.

A livid Bay of Plenty Rugby Union yesterday copped a $3000 fine -- plus $1000 legal costs -- after they were found guilty of playing unregistered former Hawke's Bay player Colin Bourke in their Ranfurly Shield triumph over Auckland on Sunday.

But there were no repercussions for the Shield or NPC campaign, with New Zealand Rugby Union-appointed QC Bruce Squire deeming Bay of Plenty's offence had been careless and not deliberate.

Grave concerns have also surfaced over Hawke's Bay's involvement in the issue, specifically the actions of chief executive Ian Condon.

Squire found Bay of Plenty had failed to get Bourke's transfer in writing from Hawke's Bay before Sunday's game, despite having fulfilled the transfer agreement -- and paid $16,500 -- by last Wednesday.

Condon was adamant he knew nothing about the final $1500 -- a repaid bonus from Bourke -- until after Sunday's 33-28 win, despite his Bay of Plenty counterpart Paul Abbot contacting Hawke's Bay office staff as soon as the transfer of money was complete.

"I'm disappointed by the actions and the process that was gone through to resolve a simple matter that could have been done quite easily and quite simply by Hawke's Bay," Abbot said, adding he was seeking legal advice on the matter and the union may appeal.

"The major concern was that if they were going to hang us on a technicality and they were determined to do that, they could have stripped points which would have been gut-wrenching.

"The players didn't deserve that, given what they'd gone through and what they'd achieved."

In his judgment, Squire said letters between the unions before the match did not complete the transfer and "it follows that Bourke was ineligible".

He also stated: "There was an unacceptable degree of carelessness by (Bay of Plenty) in meeting what was, in the circumstances, a fundamental and important obligation."

Abbot was furious that not only was his transfer request not acted on for four days, someone from the Hawke's Bay union had also gone straight to the media minutes after the final whistle on Sunday to point out the "breach".

Rugby Players' Association spokesman Rob Nichol believed it was a disgraceful way to handle the matter.

"I had a phone call, personally, within two or three hours, which indicated the media had been made aware, straight away, that there was potentially an unregistered player having played for the Bay," Nichol said.

"I'm aware the Auckland Rugby Union was contacted immediately following the game. Given this is an employment matter between a player and his employers, it's not the way to deal with these things.

"It exposed Colin to unreasonable pressure and in my view completely unnecessary pressure.

"A lot of this could have been dealt with in a much more professional and above board way. We have taken a pretty dim view as to the way the circumstances around this matter came to light."

Abbot warned the decision against his union could cause the NPC to descend into chaos.

"I'm sure a lot of other unions will be examining themselves quite carefully and will be very worried. The process certainly needs clearing up -- I know for a fact that a number of player loans out there have been done on the basis of telephone conversations so arguing a point about written confirmation is just ludicrous."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES