RUGBY - Vainikolo heads to Otago but other guns may stay

Fetu Vainikolo has jumped ship and Bronson Murray is being tempted to do the same, but if the announcement from New Zealand Rugby Union headquarters today is good for the Taniwha, then the Northland rugby team might still have some firepower left next season.
Vainikolo has signed with Otago, where he will cement his links with the Highlanders Super 14 franchise where he played last season, becoming the first high-profile casualty of the ongoing spat between Northland and the NZRU.
Murray, the prop from Herekino who won a Blues Super 14 contract last season, is considering Crusaders and Chiefs offers, but may yet stay with Northland if he can negotiate favourable terms with Canterbury.
If reports from Auckland are correct, Northland's two other star turns, winger Rene Ranger and fullback Jared Payne, are odds on to secure contracts with the Blues this summer and remain available for a possible Northland contract next year and beyond.
But until the Super 14 squads are named in November, the only certainty is Vainikolo's departure. A move that was greeted with mixed emotions at Northland rugby headquarters yesterday.
The Tongan winger was a star turn last season and then became a hit in Dunedin, but he has been unpredictable for the Taniwha this season, although his coach, Bruce Robertson, said he would leave a big hole when he went.
"Fetu made the most of his opportunities in the Northland jersey and good on him for making the most of this one, I suppose. This is a big chance for him to cement his place as a Super 14 player in Otago and with the Highlanders, but it was Northland who gave him that chance, so it is sad to see someone like that leave," Robertson said.
In the meantime, Robertson and head coach Mark Anscombe are trying to keep the focus closer to home and, in particular, on Sunday's now crucial fixture with Manawatu at Okara Park.
A win will set up a possible play-off with Auckland at Eden Park next weekend to win an unlikely quarterfinals berth and after that win over North Harbour, confidence is riding high.
"You like to think players are concentrating on the job, but you have to ask yourself that if it was you getting offers and what-not would you be a bit distracted, I think so," Anscombe said.
"I think Fetu has shown his mind has not quite been on the job, but Rene is a different prospect. He (Rene ) knows that if he can have two more top games he's cracked it."
Prop Tevita Mailau has been called back to Auckland, his loan terminated when the big-city team found themselves short of front-row power for their clash with North Harbour.
Tony Coughlan is bracketed to return from injury, with Jason Hammond, and Brenton Helluer gets his first start at halfback. The team is otherwise unchanged.
* THE TEAM
Northland: Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, Aden Dewes, Derek Carpenter, Fetu Vainikolo, David Holwell, Brenton Helleur, Justin Collins, Joel McKenty, John Cocker, Marty Veale, Dan Goodwin, Bronson Murray, Francis Smith, Tony Coughlan/Jason Hammond.
Reserves: Tyler Ashworth, Hammond/Coughlan, Roy Griffin, Blair Urlich, Ash Moeke, James Rodley, Mike Davis.