Austin has scoring knack Chiefs need

By CHRIS RATTUE

CHIEFS 43 REDS 27

UPDATED REPORT - Just when it seemed the Chiefs' wings had been clipped, two of the least experienced players in their squad helped put hope back into their season against the Reds.

For so long, it has been the Reihana and Randle show on the Waikato and Chiefs wings.

Bruce Reihana has headed overseas, however, and Roger Randle is struggling for form. Enter Sitiveni Sivivatu, the young Counties Manukau wing, and Shayne Austin, drafted from Taranaki.

Sivivatu had already made a bit of a name for himself in the opening rounds and probably won his duel with Wendell Sailor on Saturday when the Chiefs beat the Reds in Hamilton.

The 24-year-old Austin had to shake off a training ground hamstring injury to get his first start ahead of Randle, and scored two tries, including finishing off the Chiefs' best move of the season, set up by a cracking run into the backline from fullback Todd Miller.

The pace of Sivivatu and Austin helped undo a staid Reds side, whose coach Andrew Slack said: "The guy [Sivivatu] who marked [Blues wing] Rupeni Caucaunibuca last week turned and chased and caught him.

"We had a guess he was pretty quick.

"We didn't know a lot about Shayne Austin but you don't get in a side ahead of Roger Randle by being pedestrian."

Austin certainly is quick and those around Taranaki rugby say he has freakish qualities, including the ability to land 65m goalkicks.

Taranaki club rugby observers recount his more flamboyant try scoring runs in awe. He was an exceptional sevens player, making a couple of New Zealand sides.

Austin's development, though, has been slow. He played one match early in the 1998 season when Taranaki realised he was carrying a shoulder injury which contributed to his suspect defence. An operation set his career on the right path.

Injury wasn't the only hurdle. Austin was unsettled at his local Stratford club, once the power base of Taranaki rugby, so moved with good effect to Kaponga/Eltham.

And for all his brilliant football moments, he could just as easily follow them with ones that were frustratingly bad.

"He was a bit of a boy racer from Stratford ... who's matured later," one insider reckoned.

"He's finally understood the talent he has and how to use it under good coaching."

The 2002 season proved a turning point as Austin showed a knack for the spectacular, and equalled the Taranaki record of seven NPC tries.

The Hurricanes weren't tempted enough to include him, though, but the Chiefs were.

His first Chiefs camp in December coincided with the week of preparations for his wedding to Sarah.

On the wedding night, his mother Rim was admitted to hospital and has since been in Waikato Hospital waiting for heart surgery, meaning Austin has been able to visit her daily.

Austin, who intends returning to work in a roofing factory when the Super 12 is finished, flats with fellow Taranaki player Reece Robinson and Sivivatu. Hamilton is an important but temporary home at this stage for Austin, who has just signed a new contract with Taranaki.

It is too early to suggest Randle - who Austin says has given him loads of guidance - is a spent force. After all, he was the equal top try scorer in the competition last year.

But Austin appears to have the try scoring knack that the Chiefs desperately need.

The better Austin gets, the more the likelihood the Hurricanes will call him up in future years. For now, the Chiefs can enjoy the emergence of another wing talent, and rest easier without the old firm of Randle and Reihana ruling the wings.

* Chiefs hooker Greg Smith (possible concussion) will need further checks before he can be cleared for Friday night's match against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Smith was originally named in the side to play the Reds but was withdrawn the day before the match.

Loki Crichton may be unavailable again because of a knee injury.