RUGBY - Gus up for `last blast' in Super 14 but Jake's off

Christmas might be months away, but the silly season is certainly in full swing for the rugby union fraternity.
And isn't just restricted to results at the Rugby World Cup in France that have somehow tossed unfavoured England into the final; it has hit Northland rugby headquarters as well.
How else can you explain a U-turn from Justin ``Gus' Collins a week before the Super 14 contracts are announced, plans to send Jake Paringatai to Ireland and whispers that Tony Koonwaiyou is in contention for a place in the New Zealand sevens team?
There might even be a new coach to take control at the Blues, a team who could even be playing under experimental rules next year anyway. Incumbent Blues coach David Nucifora was interviewed for the top job at the Wallabies yesterday, and may yet resign his post in Auckland to pick up the reins with the international team instead.
Collins has confirmed that he has declared himself fit and available for Super 14 selection after vowing, just two months ago, his days as an elite professional rugby player were over.
The 32-year-old loose forward had an outstanding season playing every game for Northland in the Air NZ Cup. Now he is keen for another "last blast" with the Blues next year.
But while Collins has been successfully wooed to return, his Northland teammate and fellow loose forward Jake Paringatai does not appear to have been considered for Super 14 selection.
So Paringatai is off to Ireland tomorrow to start a six-month contract to play in the Heineken Cup with Munster before returning for another season of provincial rugby.
Now, as the post-season shuffle of Super 14 selection and contract negotiations continue, Northland coach Mark Anscombe is waiting with anticipation the next development in an intriguing month.
"From what I hear (prop) Bronson Murray is on the crest, on the verge, for a spot with the Blues. We are hoping that Fetu Vainikolo (winger) will get picked up by the Highlanders in Otago and that Rene Ranger (wing) and Tony Koonwaiyou (centre) might have a shot at picking up a contract with the sevens," Anscombe said.
The six-month contract to play Heineken Cup rugby with Irish club team Munster will keep Paringatai in Northland garb for another year - a prospect that was very unlikely when he revealed he had big money offers from Japan.
The chance of playing alongside outgoing All Blacks winger Doug Howlett and fellow internationals Ronan O'Gara, Donncha O'Callaghan and Peter Stringer proved a tantalising carrot.
Collins' decision was the most surprising, although the veteran flanker admitted there was plenty of time for circumstances to change.
"There isn't much to say just yet. All that has happened is that I have made myself available for selection. We don't even know for sure who the coach will be yet, so it is one thing saying I'm available, it might be another saying I'm selected," Colins said.
In the meantime, ongoing contract negotiations with Northland players have stalled while chief executive Rob Malone is away on his honeymooon and chairman Wayne Peters is in France watching the Rugby World Cup.
On the scale of the current madness, having the two main decision-makers out of circulation in the middle of contract negotiation season hardly rates a mention.