Itchy feet send McQuoid into new-look Bay backline

Grant McQuoid never planned to play rugby again in New Zealand after finishing a four-year playing stint in Japan in February.

But the Bay of Plenty second five-eighth, who made his debut for Waikato as a teenager in his first year out of Matamata College and today turned 31, got itchy feet and will front up as one of the most experienced players against Waikato at the start of the ITM Cup in Hamilton tomorrow night.

He couldn't think of a more perfect way to return to the national provincial championship in its latest guise than for the team he loves against his old province – the one he lists on his player profile as the team he loves beating.

"I just got back and I suppose I was watching a bit of Super 14 on the TV and just something inside me said `that would be good to play at that level again' and I just started wanting to have a go," McQuoid said from Mt Maunganui yesterday.

"I also thought to play 50 games for the Bay would be something special for me and that's a possibility this year if I go well.

"I'm on 41 at the moment."

He played 18 matches for Waikato between 1998 and 2001 without ever sealing a full-time spot in the starting line-up and moved to the Bay for more opportunities, which he eventually got.

Four years in Japan, including the last three for Yamaha under the coaching of former Bay coach Kevin Schuler, were going to be his rugby swansong, but he has learnt never to say never.

"I said I'd never come back and play in New Zealand again and I was wrong about that, wasn't I?"

McQuoid and his wife Cherie live in Bethlehem, near Tauranga, with their three boys aged between one and four, and a fourth on the way.

Having got back into rugby with the Bay he can't wait for the ITM Cup to start as he anticipates an exciting season ahead for his team.

"It couldn't be a better start playing Waikato first up. I love these games, of course, coming from Waikato and especially over at Waikato Stadium, trying to beat them.

"If we can get up over these guys it will be one of the highlights of my season."

McQuoid will be part of a new-look Bay backline with former Auckland halfback Taniela Moa and former Hawke's Bay and North Otago five-eighth Dan Waenga inside him and former Otago centre Brett Mather outside him.

"We've had a good buildup," McQuoid said.

"We've been winning games and we've just been clicking well on and off the field."

McQuoid sees parallels with the BoP team he was part of in his previous stint there when they held the Ranfurly Shield.

"I would say it is quite a similar feeling."

- © Fairfax NZ News