Rugby: Talaimanu takes reins at Counties

By Chris Rattue

Counties Manukau have confirmed that Andrew Talaimanu will take over as their NPC coach next year, and he has enlisted his former provincial team-mate Henry Maxwell as his assistant.

Talaimanu, taking over from Mac McCallion who has stepped down after five seasons in charge, will have his position reviewed at the end of next season.

The 39-year-old Talaimanu, a former Counties wing, has been McCallion's assistant with the Steelers.

Maxwell, also 39, played more than 100 games for the union at prop, and also represented New Zealand Maori.

The pair guided Manurewa to five club titles, with Maxwell also playing during a couple of those seasons.

The Steelers have consistently challenged for the NPC title under McCallion, although they could never quite get right to the top, and just missed the top four in a disrupted 1998 season.

But they slipped right down the table this year and their six defeats so far include a 60-point drubbing by Canterbury at Pukekohe Stadium.

Talaimanu said he and Maxwell would look to recruit players to bolster the tight five, a problem area, but their major concentration would go on improving the players' preparation.

"We have to look at bolstering the depth in some areas but we don't have the big dollars to go and chase All Blacks," he said.

"We've got some very talented players in the backs. George Leaupepe is back with us from overseas and we're hopeful that Tony Marsh will return as well.

"And we've done some hard work in trying to develop new players once we were out of NPC contention this season.

"But in the past we had experienced players who knew what was required in preparing for the season, and I think it showed this year that some of our preparation wasn't up to it. We've got to improve things like our fitness and not only in the tight forwards."

Former Blues assistant coach McCallion, who still hopes to win a Super 12 coaching job, will be in charge of the Steelers for the last time when they go to Eden Park tomorrow to take on Auckland, who have already secured top spot for the playoffs.