Waikato put farewell on backburner

By CHRIS RATTUE

Bruce Reihana may well be suffering mixed emotions on the eve of the final against Auckland, but the Waikato squad have played down the farewell factor before Saturday night's clash in Hamilton.

There was even speculation last night that the Waikato wing was having second thoughts about his move to England, after Reihana declined media interviews at training.

However, coach Ian Foster's main concern is whether first five-eighths David Hill (groin) and centre Regan King (ruptured ankle ligaments) will be fit. Both are "doubtful", but could be given until Saturday to prove their fitness, although the team will be named tomorrow.

Possible selection decisions include:

* Whether Mark Ranby starts for King in the midfield anyway, which would allow Keith Lowen to return to his favoured centre position.

* Should Jono Gibbes be moved to lock for the inexperienced Sean Hohneck, bringing the robust Steven Bates into the loose forwards?

* Is the athleticism of Michael Collins or the power of David Briggs needed in the starting front row?

* With Loki Crichton nearer full fitness, is his trickery or Todd Miller's more orthodox running needed at fullback?

A lot of attention, however, has also centred on the confirmed and potential departures of Reihana, Royce Willis, Deacon Manu and Deon Muir.

The 26-year-old Reihana, whose goalkicking was a major factor in the semifinal win over Otago, was top of the media hit parade at last night's training.

The Reihana case has become something of a battle cry in New Zealand rugby, after he signed a 2 1/2-year contract for the Wayne Smith-coached Northampton.

He is in the prime of his career (and is a late-find world-class goalkicker), yet the English pound has lured the two-test All Black away.

Reihana's media reticence invited speculation that he is having second thoughts, although there was no official confirmation of that last night.

Reihana had believed the door was shut on his World Cup chances and revealed his move to England before the NPC began.

Since then, Waikato have emerged as new powerhouses in the New Zealand game and, with that, their players' All Blacks stocks have risen.

But all this is a peripheral matter going into the final.

Foster said: "At the moment nobody here is talking about the players leaving."

He said his aim from the beginning of the season had been to run an attack-oriented side, and that it was important players enjoyed the game.

"The prospects are exciting for New Zealand rugby ... it's good that teams are breaking down defences," Foster said.

Lowen backed Foster, saying the departure of players had no influence on Waikato's build-up to the final.