Rico Gear situation holds up proceedings

There has been a delay to the naming of the Canterbury rugby team for Friday night's Air New Zealand Cup match with Waikato in Hamilton.

The team was due to be named at 10am today but will not be released until 2.30pm now.

Canterbury's inclement weather over the past few days has been cited as the reason, with the team unable to train effectively.

However, All Black winger Rico Gear's contract issues could be at the centre of the issue.

All Black coach Graham Henry admitted yesterday that he was keen to see Gear out on the track this weekend, but the 28-year-old Tasman player has been linked with a move to Canterbury.

Meanwhile, All Black centre Casey Laulala is expected to make his first appearance in the Air New Zealand Cup after recovering from a broken nose and eye socket.

- NEWSTALK ZB