Deacon Manu wrangle heading for court

By CHRIS RATTUE

The sensible solution to the Deacon Manu wrangle is still firmly on the backburner.

There are fears that unless the dispute involving the Waikato and Auckland unions over the prop's services is solved by rugby authorities, the legal course might sideline Manu long-term from the game.

The 23-year-old Manu wants out of his Auckland deal, so Waikato are set to take the New Zealand Rugby Union to the Employment Court, arguing that the national body should not have validated his contract with Auckland.

But although insiders believe the NZRFU should encourage the unions and Super 12 franchise bases to seek a commercial solution, such as compensation, Waikato have already won a victory with the Employment Court, which ruled yesterday that Waikato can present a case to them.

Waikato claim that Manu's Auckland contract is invalid because it was not signed on the correct form under the terms of the players' collective and the participation agreement between the provinces and NZRFU.

Manu has not signed a transfer agreement either.

Auckland boss David White said: "This Employment Court ruling might prolong Deacon's agony. If he doesn't play for us, he could be sidelined for two years. They didn't accept our compromise."

* Harbour captain Mark Robinson has firm offers from English and French clubs and the Warriors want another meeting with him, his lawyer David Jones said last night.

Robinson is in Europe sorting out his future after missing Super 12 selection through the Steve Devine fiasco.