No apologies from Otago over player approaches

1.00pm

Otago rugby officials are unrepentant for swooping on Bay of Plenty midfield backs Grant McQuoid and Rua Tipoki days out from the team's NPC first division semifinal.

The Otago Rugby Football Union has confirmed it is trying to attract McQuoid and Tipoki for the Otago NPC and Highlanders Super 12 sides next year.

It is a continuation of an aggressive recruiting campaign that has also concerned North Harbour.

North Harbour are understood to also be vying for Tipoki next season and have approached former All Blacks fullback Adrian Cashmore about transferring as well.

McQuoid is said to be seriously considering Otago's overtures, unsure whether he's going to be picked by the Chiefs despite a stellar season at second five-eight for Bay of Plenty.

Otago chief executive Russell Gray was unapologetic, saying they had to act now or risk missing out on players they wanted.

While Super 12 squads are not named until October 29, players who wish to transfer to a province outside their present Super 12 area must indicate so by Friday to be included on a Super 12 franchise's 24 "protected" list.

If Tipoki and McQuoid signed during November's official transfer period, they could not be among the Highlanders' initial 24 selections and could be drafted elsewhere.

"I'm making no apologies for our aggressive stance and nor should I -- it's a professional environment and players move," Gray said.

"In regards to timing we're working within two key dates -- October 15 and November 30 -- and we're investigating every option.

"We've been approached by a number of player agents, some of them with spreadsheets of players in other unions coming off contract.

"Yes, we're aggressively out in the market looking for players for key areas but Friday is the deadline the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has set down and that's the key date for us in the current environment."

Although it is a breach of NZRU regulations for an NPC union to induce players to transfer with the promise of a Super 12 contract, Bay of Plenty chief executive Paul Abbot admitted there was little Bay of Plenty could do.

"There's actually a declaration on the transfer form that says (the promise) of Super 12 selection played no part in a transfer but, by it's very nature, that's what Friday's deadline is designed to do," he said.

"Non-Super 12 franchises have sat back and worn it but clearly it's an issue that needs to be looked at by the NZRU."

Abbot conceded he could do little to stop raids from rival provinces, although there is anger that Otago have put offers on the table in the lead-up to the semifinal against Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday.

"The timing's lousy," Abbot said. "We're not grizzling at the fact our talent here's being recognised but it comes back to the fact that these players are trying to prepare for an NPC semifinal while, at the same time, agents and rival unions are waving contracts and cheques in their faces.

"It's unnecessary when we're trying to get our guys to concentrate on what is one of the biggest games ever for us."

Abbot is confident the bulk of the Bay of Plenty side will stick with the union next year, although limited resources meant there was a strong reliance on "goodwill" to retain them.

Tipoki and McQuoid had been open in informing Bay of Plenty of Otago's interest.

"We'll put our best offer on the table with these two guys but there will be no Dutch auction. If our best offer's enough, good, otherwise it'll be back to the drawing board," Abbot said.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

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