Rugby: Mains rumour angers board

The Otago Rugby Union says it is not in a position to announce any coaching positions for next year, despite reports linking Laurie Mains to the job.

Union chairman Colin Weatherall said yesterday that the board had not ratified any appointments.

"We will go through the proper procedures before making anything public. Repeating rumours is not helpful to anyone."

The Otago Daily Times reported on Monday that the board would hold a special meeting to confirm the appointment of former All Black coach Mains to take charge of the province's NPC team.

It understood two former All Blacks, Wayne Graham and Greg Cooper, would assist Mains. Cooper was also tipped to become the assistant coach of the Highlanders Super 12 team.

Weatherall, who is also chairman of the Highlanders board, said there needed to be an element of continuity between the Super 12 side and the NPC team.

"The Highlanders position also involved the New Zealand union and we are continuing negotiations there," Weatherall said.

The newspaper reported that Mains had accepted a contract with Otago for two years and was keen to train assistants to take over.

Mains coached Otago from 1983 to 1991 and the All Blacks from 1992 to 1995. He has coached the Lions Currie Cup team and the Cats Super 12 team in South Africa for the past two years.

He lifted the Cats from second-to-bottom of the table last year to the semifinals this year. He is contracted to coach the Cats Super 12 team again next year.

- NZPA