Rugby: Auckland cries off Bridge lunch date

By WYNNE GRAY

An extra bite is chomping away at today's Battle of the Bridge lunch.

After a year's lull from the traditional derby breakfast arranged by the Chamber of Commerce, Harbour decided to package a lunchtime debate today with both teams among the 300 expected at the North Harbour Stadium function.

The only problem is that Auckland will not be going.

"It conflicts with other activities we had arranged with our sponsors and things like visits to schools," an ARU spokesman said.

"We have 11 school visits this week for Hero Assemblies and the lunch did not fit into our schedule. We said thanks but we could not make it."

The decision did not amuse Harbour officials, who had promoted the function at $950 a table.

"It is all about being a Blues partnership and promotion of the game," chief executive Doug Rollerson said. "They agreed they would come.

"I am bitterly disappointed because this was all about a rugby thing, building a Blues partnership. New Zealand rugby has been lacking some values and if this happens [Auckland not attending] it is another step in the wrong direction.

"Rugby used to be all about trust and camaraderie with the enemy outside games."