Sports Comment with Nick Tolerton | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

It's a bit hard to see any winner in the Rico Gear affair. Obviously it isn't Tasman.

Some commentators have had a go at Canterbury for hoovering up every bit of talent in sight.

But, great winger though Gear is, it's a mixed blessing for Canterbury to have him back on loan.

He's not going to be around for either the Crusaders or Canterbury next year, and in terms of development it would be more valuable to have Steven Yates, Paul Williams, and Sean Maitland getting the game time this season.

And it's certainly unfair to suggest the Canterbury union bullies its smaller neighbours.

The success of the Crusaders has contributed substantially to the coffers of unions like Tasman.

And you can compile a very long list of players from Canterbury who've beefed up smaller unions in the NPC.

Tasman alone has players like Chris Jack, Caleb Ralph, Ben May, Ben Franks, Peter Nixon, Steve Fualau, and Joel Iggo who are either products of Canterbury rugby or went to finishing school here.

Even old rivals Otago, who Canterbury meet on Saturday, have five who have worn red and black in Chris King, Charlie Hore, Jed Vercoe, Aaron Bancroft, and Brett Mather.

In total more than 30 former Canterbury A or B players are lining up in other colours in the 2007 NPC.

Tasman did not have to release Gear, and he was not coerced by Canterbury. In fact coach Rob Penney was only told of his possible availability after he'd told the Makos of his intentions.

While a decade ago a player might have been asked to subsume everything else in life into rugby, who can blame Gear, as a new father with a three-month-old, for wanting to be at home at present?

It might be a bit of sauce before he goes to Worcester, but Gear has only done what the rules allow.

But Rico is certain to be given a lively afternoon in the confines of Lansdowne Park when Canterbury go there next month.