Coach Va'a wants best talent available for 2008

New Wairarapa-Bush rugby coach Earl Va'a is intent on doing everything possible to ensure the region's best talent is available for the union's premier side in 2008.
Va'a, 35, is aware of the huge number of defections experienced last season from the Heartland championship-winning side of the previous year and is keen to create an environment which ensures that situation does not occur again.
"Someone told me there were times last year where the B side was probably stronger than the A's and, if that's true, then obviously we don't want to continue going down that path," Va'a said.
With that in mind Va'a says he will be talking personally over the next few weeks to players who had represented Wairarapa-Bush over the past two or three seasons with the idea of advising them of the systems to be put in place by the new management team.
And a big part of that discussion would be the need for players to be fully committed to having Wairarapa-Bush a strong contender for the 2008 Heartland title.
"It's all about having respect for the jersey, of being proud to play for your province," Va'a said. "That sort of thing can't be stressed enough."
The chances of Va'a himself being part of the playing action for Wairarapa-Bush next season are, however, "absolutely nil".
The former Samoan inside back, whose "50 odd" games for his country included two World Cups, was player-coach of the Wainuiomata side which won the Hardham Cup section of Wellington's premier inter-club competition last year but is now officially retired from the playing scene.
"No, playing isn't an option at all," he said. "It's an absolute privilege to be asked to coach a team like Wairarapa-Bush and that's where the complete focus will be."
"It's all about having respect for the jersey, of being proud to play for your province."
Va'a, who has also mentored Wellington age group sides, said his coaching philosophy was built around the players enjoying what they were doing & both on and off the field.
"You generally find that if the players are happy they perform better and we'll be working hard to keep them in that frame of mind," he said.
Va'a is a firm believer too in the theory that an expansive style of game aids player enjoyment but, at the same time, he understands that without a stable platform up front teams seldom have the chance to fully exploit their attacking skills.
"It's always important that the forwards do well in the set pieces, you want solidity there," he said.
Va'a is no stranger to Heartland championship rugby, having represented Poverty Bay as a "loan player" in what was the old NPC third division competition 2005, and has an open mind as to whether teams competing at that level should have "imports" in their side.
But before those who oppose that situation start making noises he is quick to emphasise that local talent would be given every opportunity to push their claims before he even considered bringing in outside talent to enhance his resources.
"Imports will definitely be a last resort, you can't dismiss the idea but at the same time it would be nice to think we would not have to go down that road," he said.