Coach issues warning

New Wairarapa-Bush rugby coach Earl Va'a has issued a warning to prospective representative players who do not commit themselves to pre-season training sessions.
Va'a and his assistant Mike Robinson invited 50 players to participate in a fitness-skills workout at Memorial Park last Sunday with about 25 turning up, 15 apologising for their absence due to various reasons and the remainder giving no explanation for their non-attendance.
While delighted with the enthusiasm and skill levels shown by those present Va'a was quick to emphasise his determination to ensure those in the reckoning for Heartland championship selection in 2008 had the attitude believed necessary for them to make an impact there.
To this end he will be inviting the same 50 players to take part in the next official training session in a month's time and those who failed to attend for a second time without good excuse will be removed from the list of invitees.
"We want to create an environment where the players take responsibility for their own actions, as coaches we provide the opportunity for them to be involved in rep play but it's up to them to take advantage of that," he said. "We will not be holding their hands in this respect."
Early indications are that the vast majority of last season's Wairarapa-Bush squad which made the Meads Cup semi-finals will be available for selection again in the coming season.
Halfback Hamish McKenzie, who made no secret of his disapproval at the union's overlooking of incumbent Graeme Cheetham for the coaching job, is one definite defection but word is that at least two of the more experienced campaigners who did not play last season, Marist duo Patrick Rimene and Nathan Couch, could have a change of heart in that regard.
Va'a stressed though that he and Robinson won't be playing any favours when it comes to team selection, that attitude and form will be very much the prime considerations there.
"No one is guaranteed a place in the side, we have an open door policy now and it will stay that way," he said. "Players need to realise they are starting from scratch, that's the way it has to be."
That Va'a and Robinson are prepared to go that extra yard themselves to ensure their players are properly equipped for Heartland championship play is evidenced by the fact that New Zealand Junior Kiwi rugby league coach David Lomax was at last Sunday's training session.
He and Va'a have been good friends ever since they played rugby league together many years ago and Va'a , who later represented Samoa at two rugby World Cups, is intent on using Lomax's experience, particularly in the defensive area, on a regular basis.
"A strong defence is a very important part of rugby and he (Lomax) can offer us plenty in that respect," Va'a said.
Va'a and Robinson will also be calling on former long-time Wairarapa-Bush inside back Neil Foote to improve their players skill levels.
Foote has been officially confirmed as team trainer for 2008 with Greytown stalwart Brian Abbott appointed as manager.
Continuing on as Wairarapa-Bush B selector-coach will be Steve Thompson and Va'a said he and Robinson would also be working closely with him as they look to develop the union's playing resources.
Meanwhile, the draw for the 2008 Heartland championship has been released and Va'a is happy with a programme which sees Wairarapa-Bush at home to West Coast (August 23), Buller (September 6) and Horowhenua-Kapiti (September 13) and away to South Canterbury (August 30) and defending champions North Otago (September 20) in pool play.
"I think you can say it's a fairly kind draw for us, we couldn't have asked for a lot better," Va'a said.
Some people might debate that playing the two teams likely to be their toughest pool opponents, South Canterbury and North Otago, away is not exactly good news but Va'a takes the view that no matter where games are played "the grass is green, the posts are in the same place and the rules don't differ."
"Sure, it helps to have the home crowd behind you but when it all boils down it should make little difference to the end result," he said.
"It's more a matter of players adjusting from a mental viewpoint, they have to take the crowd out of the equation and that can be done."