Rugby: Contract gamble leaves Moa facing super rugby extinction

Taniela Moa went into the Super 14 draft to leave Auckland but he wasn't picked up. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland halfback Taniela Moa gambled ... and lost.

While yesterday's squad announcements were a celebration of those 140 players throughout New Zealand who have hit paydirt, spare a thought for those, like Moa, who did not.

The 24-year-old had a troubled year, being disciplined in April for throwing a bottle that hit a woman in the face, while drinking in the Marist clubrooms.

Still, after a decent Air New Zealand Cup campaign with Auckland he was probably the frontrunner to back up Alby Mathewson, who had just signed for Auckland from Wellington.

Instead Moa chose to take his chances in the draft.

"Once we'd secured Alby there was a second halfback spot and obviously Taniela and Chris Smylie were going to be battling for it," Blues coach Pat Lam said.

"Taniela asked this week if he could go into the draft because he wanted to move outside [Auckland]. I allowed him to do that and unfortunately he didn't get picked up.

"It was a bit of a gamble and unfortunately it didn't pay off for him."