Rugby: Counties laughing all the way to bank

By Wynne Gray

Up and under

As an Auckland rugby supporter, how do you feel about Joeli Vidiri being loaned back to Counties Manukau for the NPC?

It does not seem to make economic sense nor to be very good rugby savvy when Auckland need to repair their rugby reputation in the national championship.

The speedster transferred to Auckland late last year for the standard $50,000 fee, ostensibly so he could continue with the Blues in the Super 12. That fee went to Counties and it is understood Vidiri also got a substantial personal payment on top of that to swap provinces.

Now Auckland are loaning him back to Counties, no cost involved. Counties probably can't believe their fortune.They have $50,000 in the bank for one of their star wings, who now will play for them in the NPC, they will pay him some match fees but he is also on the Auckland payroll. What's that about having your cake and eating it as well?

The deal apparently involved Auckland Rugby Union chief executive Geoff Hipkins, Vidiri and his manager, Rod Ketels.

In their arrangement, the loan clause, apparently not just for one but two seasons, was put in the contract.

The ARU thought Vidiri would see little NPC action because he would be away with the All Blacks at the World Cup. That is becoming less likely with the form of Tana Umaga, Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu and utilities like Bruce Reihana, Caleb Ralph and Marc Ellis.

Why would you agree to loan a player of All Black quality when Auckland need all the resources they can muster?

And who shelled out the transfer fee? Was it just Auckland or was there some Blues franchise money involved? Presumably franchise partners Northland and North Harbour will be seeking that answer when the Super 12 accounts are completed early next month.

How will Waikato feel if they defend the Ranfurly Shield against Counties on August 21 and Vidiri is a menace? His transfer meant he was unavilable for the Chiefs in the Super 12 but he is now playing for a province which is part of that franchise, but next season will be ineligible for the Chiefs again because he is an Auckland-registered player.

And next NPC season, Vidiri will be running round in Counties colours again. Who is getting the best value out of the deal?

Name them all and they reside south of Auckland. Vidiri, his agent Ketels, who did such a smart job and Counties.

It is understood that Hipkins, when it became clear Vidiri might be far more available for Counties' NPC campaign than he originally envisaged, asked the NZRFU to intervene. When it did, Ketels told it of the loan deal agreed to by the ARU and insisted that it stand. The NZRFU had little option but to agree.

It suggests that all transfer deals and the contracts should have final NZRFU approval before they are ratified.