Schuler firms in Bay rugby shake-up

By JAMIE TROUGHTON
Kevin Schuler arrives back from Japan on Friday and could complete the final part of the Steamers coaching jigsaw, as speculation runs wild on who's got the top job.
Everyone from Gordon Tietjens to Wayne Shelford, Allan Pollock to Elvis has been touted for the role left vacant when last season's coach Andre Bell and the Bay of Plenty Union couldn't agree terms.
With an announcement due next week, former All Black Schuler looms as a key player.
He has been involved with the Bay of Plenty rugby team for the past three seasons including the last two as assistant coach.
For the past year, he has also been employed by Yamaha as director of coaching in the Japanese club competition, with Yamaha losing their Microsoft Cup semifinal 40-39 to Suntory last week.
"Herb (Schuler) will hopefully be in the mix somewhere - we just have to work through his availability," BOPRU chief executive Paul Abbot said today.
Schuler would provide much-needed continuity but whether his Japanese commitments would allow him to coach the Bay fulltime is doubtful. It's unlikely he would have stayed assistant this year if Bell had remained in charge.
The Bay union interviewed at least two candidates last week - Marist St Pats coaching co-ordinator Ian Snook and Wanganui coach and former Bay halfback Milton Haig.
Rumours also persist they spoke to Wellington B coach Chris Boyd at the weekend, while Black Ferns' head coach Jed Rowlands wasn't interviewed.
New Zealand sevens supremo Tietjens laughed off talk he was going for the job, despite landing the North Harbour role earlier this year before having to pull out with work commitments.
Rotorua-raised Shelford is a long-shot and Pollock is tipped to be heading back to Japan.
Elvis was unavailable for comment when this edition went to press.
* Steamers flanker Nili Latu is likely to get an NZRU release at the end of his Hurricanes Super 14 season, clearing the way to take up a contract in Japan.
Latu indicated after last year's Air New Zealand Cup quarterfinal loss to Auckland that he'd played his last game for the Bay.
Halfback Garrick Cowley has been released from his Bay contract to play club rugby in Italy, trying to further his claims for a World Cup spot for Samoa.
Steamers No 8 Colin Bourke had his Bay contract suspended earlier this year, allowing him to play in Italy in the off-season, although he is expected back in May, as is off-contact fullback Hayden Reid, also currently in Italy.