RUGBY - $20,000 carrot dangles for wing sensation Vainikolo

Northland rugby bosses are hoping a $20,000 cash carrot will keep their newest try-scoring sensation Fetu Vainikolo in town after the 24-year-old winger was offered a spot with Tonga at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Vainikolo was contacted by Tongan rugby officials just hours before he lined up to make his debut for Northland in a pre-season game against Tasman in Whangarei on Saturday night.
His record-breaking try-scoring feats in the Northland-wide club rugby championship this year have apparently pushed him into the international reckoning.
But Vainikolo was still considering the offer today despite getting a 24-hour deadline to decide.
An upgraded contract offer from the NRU today may well sway his decision, especially as Tonga are unlikely to offer any money if he accepts a spot in the World Cup squad.
It looms as a vital decision for all concerned, Vainikolo enticed by the chance to play at the Rugby World Cup but Northland keen to keep their new try-scoring weapon for the Air NZ Cup provincial campaign set to kick off in just two weeks.
So NRU chief executive Rob Malone was quick to react, saying Vainikolo would be offered an upgraded contract to try to ensure he stayed in the north.
"Fetu was contacted by a member of the Tongan Rugby Union and from what I can gather was asked to join Tonga for the World Cup.
"Right now he is only on a low grade contract but he will be in my office (today) where I will be making him an offer to upgrade, hopefully an offer that is good enough to see him stay with us for the Air NZ Cup," Malone said.
"It is a big decision for a young guy to make, but we think with the chance to prove himself here, and the possibility of a Super 14 contract if he can make an impression added to the offer, we hope we can keep him in the Northland ranks," he said.
As if to underline his potential, Vainikolo produced a star performance on debut for Northland on Saturday evening, scoring two tries in a game Tasman won 25-22 on a rain-soaked Okara Park.
His double helped Northland claw their way back from a 15-8 halftime deficit to draw level 22-all in the last minutes of the game.
It took a late penalty goal from Tasman to grasp the victory.
But the Tongan-born winger was understandably coy when quizzed about the offer from Tonga afterwards.
"I just don't know what to think really," Vainikolo said.
"Yeah, they phoned me just out of nowhere and it sounded pretty good.
"I haven't heard back from the guy at all, I don't really know who he was so I am not sure what to do," he said.
But when pushed Vainikolo said an upgraded offer from the NRU would probably see him sign on with Northland.
Having left a fulltime job in Auckland to play for Northland he would find it difficult to turn down a boosted contract.
The chance to push for Super 14 selection was also in the back of his mind.
"That would probably do it, a better contract. That's what I need I think," he said.
With Vainikolo one to watch, Northland made a solid start to their campaign on Saturday.
Even though they have now lost three from three to Tasman, their effort in testing conditions was heartening and notable for a solid scrummaging performance.
But the game did come at a cost, fullback Mike Davis out for three weeks with a torn hamstring.
Tasman the bogey team, Club wrap and scoreboard: Page 13.