Nelson Bays cleared over Gear transfer

The Nelson Bays Rugby Union has been cleared of any impropriety relating to All Black Rico Gear's transfer to the union earlier this year.

The Nelson Bays union is still awaiting an official media release from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), although chief executive Peter Barr confirmed that following recent talks with NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew, Nelson Bays had been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The NZRU launched an investigation into the North Harbour All Black's transfer to the 2004 division two NPC champions after a complaint by North Harbour that he had been enticed by the promise of a Super 12 contract with the Crusaders.

The allegation was denied by both the Nelson Bays union and the Crusaders franchise.

Barr said the issue was now dead.

"The Nelson Bays Rugby Union was cleared of any wrongdoing and the allegations were unsubstantiated, and therefore we move on," he said.

The NZRU had appointed Mike Heron, of Auckland law firm Meredith Connell, to investigate the claims.

- NZPA