Manawatu coach hits out at his dumping

Manawatu rugby faces a legal stoush after dumping coach Peter Kemp less than a year into his two-year contract.

Kemp has been replaced for next year by Charlie McAlister, father of new All Black Luke McAlister.

Manawatu won only three of their eight games in the NPC second division this season and that was not enough for the Manawatu Rugby Union board.

But the Dominion Post reported that Kemp was unhappy with the early termination of his contract and its handling.

The former Horowhenua-Kapiti coach was reluctant to discuss his sacking, citing legal issues.

But he admitted he had been surprised and disappointed to receive a call from a third party last week informing him he had lost his job.

"Someone rang to say sorry you lost your job. I said, 'Have I? Who's my replacement?' They told me it was Charlie McAlister."

Kemp said Manawatu denied the coaching change when he sought confirmation that night. They confirmed it the next day.

"I have not even had the job for a year," he said. "I started on January 20 and the feedback I have had from Manawatu was very good.

"This year I was very much on the way up in coaching. I had an offer from a first division union that I turned down and Horowhenua wanted me back, but I chose Manawatu."

Though results had been disappointing, Kemp said progress had been made in a number of areas.

Manawatu chairman Tony Murphy confirmed there were legal issues surrounding Kemp's dismissal, but he did not foresee trouble.

The union had been aware McAlister was available for several weeks, but had not confirmed his appointment until last Thursday night.

McAlister, who played on the wing for Taranaki and had a spell playing league in Britain, has spent the past two seasons as assistant coach of the Blues development team. He will move to Palmerston North.

- NZPA


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