NZRU wades into Manawatu's coaching crisis

Manawatu rugby coach Charlie McAlister said he quit the job suddenly because he couldn't continue in the environment.

Several factors are believed to have been behind his resignation last Thursday: a lack of support personnel around the team, player issues and coaching style among them.

The Manawatu Standard reported that losing the confidence of players last week was the final straw for McAlister who had done only 18 months of an intended three-year stint.

All the players attended training on Monday.

Assistant coach Bruce Hemara and Hurricanes development coach Jonathon Phillips will be in charge until a new coach is appointed. There has been speculation that Aussie McLean, an assistant coach with the Hurricanes, could head the province's new coaching regime, with the Air New Zealand Cup to kick off in about six weeks.

"I resigned for the simple fact I couldn't do it any more," McAlister said.

"It affected my family and was a family decision. I spoke to all of them and it was unanimous."

McAlister said he could have stayed and fought on but he had had enough.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said there was no need to panic and he was confident Manawatu would sort themselves out.

"They've got a lot of boxes to tick. They met the criteria when they were accepted into the (new premier division) competition but we're constantly reviewing that," Tew said.

"We reserve the right to make the decisions according to circumstance. Obviously, they don't meet the criteria at the moment without a coach but we're confident they'll find an appropriate candidate and we're helping them through that process."

- NZPA