Rugby: Ball in Blues' court in fight for Cribb

By CHRIS RATTUE

Blues coach Gordon Hunter will be the crucial figure in determining whether rising No 8 star Ron Cribb decides if his long-term future is with the Auckland-based franchise.

Hunter, or whoever is in charge of the Blues over the next few seasons, must convince the new All Black No 8 that his best interests lie with their franchise - even though they have previously discarded him.

The Super 12 champion Crusaders have upped the ante on Cribb's future by deciding to push for a change in the rules concerning draft players.

Crusaders and Canterbury chief executive Steve Tew says they will ask the NZ Rugby Football Union to consider a rule change which allows drafted players like Cribb to decide their own Super 12 future.

"If a player is not required by his region in the first year he can then choose whether he stays with the team which picked him up or return to his original area, if their coaches still want him," said Tew.

"The NZRFU will have to talk to the other franchises to see if they agree, but we believe the player should have the choice.

"There is also the issue of who is coaching the teams. Gordon Hunter and Frank Oliver obviously didn't rate Ron too highly but if there was a change of coach in this sort of situation, then that could change things.

"Our view on this has always been what is best for the player."

The backdrop to the most controversial player transfer debate in years is that many in North Harbour feel their players are unfairly treated by the Blues, who are run from Eden Park.

Cribb has been lowly-rated by the Blues for the past two seasons, despite appearing to be one of the greatest raw talents in the game. He made the All Blacks' lineup after his first season with the Crusaders.

He is contracted to North Harbour until the end of next year which means the Blues have an automatic right to select him next season.

Cribb, who turns 24 tomorrow, does not want to comment publicly while he tries to establish his All Black career.

But Cribb has told Tew that he believes his Super 12 future is with the Crusaders, and a number of North Harbour sources said yesterday that Cribb's preferred option would be to play NPC rugby for their union, and head to the Crusaders for the Super 12.

Whatever Cribb does next year, he will be free in 2002 to make his own choice. That means whatever the current technicalities, the Blues must win Cribb's loyalty if they want him to stay.

Tew said last night: " Ron has said he would love to come back to the Crusaders.

"In November, after he has been back with North Harbour in the NPC, maybe he will have changed his mind. If that is the case then that's the end of story. Our policy is that you have to want to play for the jersey."

Cribb is expected to meet Hunter after the All Blacks play their final Tri-Nations match against South Africa in Johannesburg on August 19. Hunter could not be reached for comment last night.

There is simmering discontent in North Harbour over the decision to leave players such as Cribb, Slade McFarland, Matua Parkinson and Rua Tipoki out of the Blues. The close selection decisions put Auckland NPC players ahead of those from North Harbour and Northland.

North Harbour campaigned for Cribb to be set free to play for the Crusaders when Hunter made it clear that Dylan Mika and Xavier Rush were his preferred options.

Cribb was known to be upset with his treatment last year, when Jed Rowlands coached the Blues.

Cribb had operations on a broken thumb, suffered during the Maori tour to Britain, and was a dicey proposition for the start of the 1999 season. But the Blues left it until the last minute before leaving him out of their squad, without getting what Cribb believed was a detailed medical opinion.