Polynesian departures indicate a

I reckon Auckland and Blues rugby have a race issue.

Well, that’s one of my many theories, with Charles Piutau and now Steven Luatua deciding to fly the coop before their careers hit top gear.

Look at the similarities of those who have or are quitting New Zealand rugby before the job was done: Francis Saili, Frank Halai, Charlie Faumuina, Piutau, Luatua.

Yes, Blues players and Polynesians. Something tells me something is very wrong.

And before you say Faumuina is 30, compare his attitude with that of 34-year-old Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, signed until the end of 2018.

“Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks have been my teams since day one,” Crockett reckoned. “I can’t imagine ever pulling on the jersey for any other teams, so I always knew that I would be playing out my rugby career here.”

Luatua gave a glimpse of the cultural influences involved, when he talked of providing for his family and giving the “next generation of Luatuas” better opportunities.

On the face of it, his decision to join a bum team at Bristol is nuts. It’s like Adele singing with Yoko Ono. It’s like anybody singing with Yoko Ono.

And yet he’s gone and done it, and apparently All Blacks coach Steve Hansen didn’t even get the chance to talk him around.

Yes, yes. We Aucklanders have to take some responsibility.

The Blues are a mess and have been for a while, but rugby HQ in Wellington and the central contract system is the real problem. They