Ormond to leave Bay of Plenty and head to Japan

The memorable NPC rugby career of Bay of Plenty captain Wayne Ormond is nearly at an end.

The fearsome New Zealand Maori and Chiefs loose forward will play his last match for the Steamers against Northland at Blue Chip Stadium on Saturday, after signing a deal to play in Japan.

He has been released from the final year of his contract with Bay of Plenty.

Ormond is joining the Coca-Cola club early next year after seven seasons with Bay of Plenty and three years of Super 12.

It is a huge blow to the Bay union, which is set to farewell a handful of top-line players after the season-ending Northland game.

Halfback Kevin Senio has already confirmed he is moving to Canterbury, while fullback Adrian Cashmore and veteran Paul Tupai are heading overseas.

Several other players are awaiting Super 14 selection before deciding if they will go too.

Ormond's announcement comes with Bay of Plenty sitting second-to-last on the NPC table after a disappointing season, although they could rise as high as seventh if they beat Northland.

"It's been a hard season and I don't want it to seem like I'm running away from the boys but I think the timing is right for me to go," Ormond said.

The 28-year-old is joining the same club as Clayton McMillan, his immediate predecessor as Steamers captain, who left at the end of 2003.

McMillan, who is helping coach the Coca-Cola team this year, approached Ormond shortly before the NPC started.

Ormond is a staunch family man, and he admitted the money was good in Japan and he had to start thinking about that for the sake of his family, wife Yvonne, son Raureti, 3, and daughter Te Kahui-o-te-rangi, 6.

His children and nephews are usually the first ones in the changing rooms after every Bay game, while he enjoys huge support from his Rotoiti club and their supporters.

The 64-game Bay of Plenty veteran said he was dedicating Saturday's match to them. "The Bay has been a big part of my life and my family's life.

"In that journey, there have been a lot of people to thank for getting me to where I wanted to get to. This game will be about thanking them in a small way."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Paul Abbot said the union was planning on a suitable send-off for the departing players and he hoped the public could show their appreciation.

"It's a big blow losing the experience of these guys but our priority this week is just giving them a huge farewell," Abbot said.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES