Rugby: Leslie withdraws from running for Fijian job

By CHRIS RATTUE


Andy Leslie has pulled out of the race to coach Fiji leaving Mac McCallion and two Australians as the candidates.

The original list of 17 candidates was narrowed down to Leslie, McCallion, former Australian coach Greg Smith and ex-Wallaby lock Duncan Hall.

But Leslie, the 1970s All Black captain who later coached Wellington and in Ireland, has told the Fiji Rugby Football Union he was withdrawing for family reasons.

The final interviews will be conducted this week and an announcement could be made by the weekend.

McCallion said he is keen on the job but reports from Fiji rate Smith a good chance.

A panel of Fiji union chairman Tom Vuetilovoni, former All Black great Haden and Fiji captain Greg Smith will interview McCallion in Auckland today. The panel then heads to Fiji to talk to the two Australians.