Rugby: Bosses unhappy over player-drain

By Chris Rattue

Australian rugby bosses may block Brumbies prop Rod Moore's move to play for Waikato in rugby's NPC competition this year.

Moore is being lined up to play for the Chiefs in the Super 12 after turning out for Waikato in the NPC, although the complicated nature of rugby's contract and selection systems means the Chiefs are reluctant to say that Moore is part of the Super 12 team yet.

But his appearance in even the NPC is under major threat because his club may object to the move, and the Australian Rugby Union has grown nervous over reports that New Zealand provincial teams are raiding Australia's rugby ranks.

Moore, fellow Brumbies frontrower Ben Darwin (Counties Manukau), former New South Wales prop Simon Kerr and another ACT player, Craig Wells (both Southland) were all destined for NPC places this season.

The players' Australian agent, Grant Richardson, admitted last night that there was a cloud over the move of all four players.

But the greatest doubt exists over Moore, partly because his Sydney club, Eastwood, is apparently objecting to his transtasman travels.

Kerr and Wells are both off contract now and although old amateur clearance rules still exist between International Rugby Board countries, it is hard to see impediments being placed in their way.

Darwin is contracted to the Brumbies until the end of next season and his move here has not been linked with playing for the Chiefs in the Super 12.

His Sydney club has apparently given approval to his move, partly because a broken arm meant his Super 12 chances were wrecked this year and it felt he deserved a chance to prove his ability in New Zealand's domestic competition. But the 27-year-old Moore's move appears to be in danger.

Richardson said: "We must get a clearance from the player's club, state and the ARU. It is looking a bit bleak for Rod at the moment.

"He is still under contract [to ACT] and as I understand it the contracts run for the full calendar year.

"The old IRB clearance rules between countries still exist and I don't have a problem with that. It is fair enough to make sure that players are not leaving things behind like financial obligations.

"But if there were moves to block players who are off contract, that would move us into areas of commercial law...but I don't expect problems with that.

"None of the players have been granted a clearance yet, although I hope to sort out at least some of them in the next 24 to 48 hours."