Pivac puts Fiji coaching job on hold awaiting All Blacks decision

SUVA - Wayne Pivac was reported yesterday to be considering Fiji's top coaching position, but said much would depend on developments in New Zealand over the next few weeks.

Though Pivac did not specifically mention a role with the All Blacks, he made it clear that the New Zealand Rugby Union would have an influence on his decision.

Pivac was named New Zealand's coach of the year last month and has been touted as a possible assistant to Graham Henry should he become the next All Black coach.

Henry and incumbent John Mitchell were the only serious contenders when the All Black coaching applications closed on Monday.

A decision is likely by the end of the year.

Pivac, who was in Fiji last week, told the Daily Post that Fiji needed a new coach as soon as possible following the resignation of Mac McCallion.

This year Pivac coached the Auckland team who won the NPC. Henry was the team's technical adviser.

* French coach Bernard Laporte says he will take all the time he needs to decide whether to accept a new four-year contract.

The 39-year-old has been told by French rugby supremo Bernard Lapasset that he would like a response by tomorrow - the eve of the meeting of the French rugby federation board of directors - but he still needed to talk to a few people.

Laporte, who guided France to the World Cup semis, said he was still weighing up his options.

- AGENCIES