Willie Waitoa. File picture
“A STUPID mistake” could cost Willie Waitoa his job as coach of the Ngati Porou East Coast team for next season’s Heartland Championship.
The Coast breached NZRU player eligibility rules when they fielded four loan players in the last game of the 2015 season — a 60-14 loss to eventual Lochore Cup winners King Country in Taupo.
The maximum number of loan players allowed in the match-day 22 is three. The Coast were fined $5000, $2500 of that suspended, and deducted two bonus points.
“We had a debrief at the end of the season before I went to Aussie on holiday and there was talk about me being retained as coach,” said Waitoa, whose side finished bottom of the championship.
“But when I came back things had changed following the breach of rules and the union is calling for applications, which close on January 8.
“I made a stupid mistake and I fully understand the union’s decision to advertise the coaching position for next year. As head coach I take full responsibility and take the decision (to advertise the position) on the chin.
“The Coast job is a challenge for various reasons (such as) resources and players being spread all around the Coast and in town (Gisborne), which makes it hard to hold regular training sessions with a full complement of players.
“I don’t think we had one full training session all season. But I’ve never backed away from a challenge before and I won’t be starting now.
“Results-wise it wasn’t a good season but I believe we made some gains. There were a couple of games we could have, should have, won, and there were games when the scores blew out towards the end, which had a lot to do with our lack of fitness.
Focus on fitness“Individually we had some players exceptionally fit but fitness is an area that I will focus on if I get reappointed. I’m keen but I want to talk to some of the senior players.
“No matter what happens, if someone else gets the job, I’ll still be supporting the Coast. It’s my home. Over the years I’ve had offers to play for Poverty Bay but it’s not my home jersey.
“With regards to structure and fitness, over the years the Bay have had it over us, but there’s something unique about pulling on the Coast jersey and playing for the team.
“Win, lose or draw the camaraderie is always there. For heart and guts and playing for the jersey and each other our boys have it over teams with more resources and bigger areas from which to draw players.
“You have to be involved with the team to understand the unique culture.”
If Waitoa was a football coach he would not have survived the season let alone be looking at being retained. But bringing in a new coach, which would be the fourth in as many seasons, is not the answer, unless that coach is Steve Hansen and he brings a few of his All Blacks with him.
The Coast would be better giving Waitoa another season to show he has learned from his mistake and to build on the positives from this season — the recruitment of star first five Richard Apanui, midfield maestro TK Moeke, who made the Heartland Championship XV squad, two of the season’s most consistent performers in skipper and No.8 Lennon Carrington and openside flanker Donny Mill, halfback Sam Parkes, prop Pera Bishop and winger Kris Palmer.
“There are things I know I can do better and if I am reappointed one of the things I would do is start planning a lot earlier for next season,” said Waitoa.
East Coast union chief executive Cushla Tangaere-Manuel said the union preferred not to comment on the coaching job being advertisted.