A COMMUNICATION breakdown has led to prolific-scoring Marist first-five Patrick Rimene becoming the latest big name to make himself unavailable for the Wairarapa-Bush rugby team this season. After missing the first three non-championship games against Wellington XV, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu because of a combination of fitness hassles and work commitmentsRimene, 32, had been in discussions with coaches Graham Cheetham and Lofty Stevenson over the possibility of making himself available for the Heartland campaign. He advised them he may have to miss one of the Heartland matches because of work but otherwise he "very probably" would be prepared to play if they wanted him. But after being told the coaches they would get back to him by Monday he had heard nothing by yesterday morning and decided "to give it a miss". "I must admit it made the decision easier & obviously they weren't interested anyway or they would have got back to me earlier," he said. "Quite honestly, I think I would have given it a go but it's all history now." Rimene played a major role in Wairarapa-Bush winning the Heartland title last year and the NPC third division crown the season before that and his impressive form, both in terms of general play and goal kicking, saw him named in the Heartland national side which toured Argentina late last year. With a dearth of experienced first-fives in Wairarapa-Bush his availability would have been a huge plus this season but, happily, his decision not to play does not necessarily mean the end of his representative career. "Everybody keeps telling me you are a long time retired so, who knows, I'll look at next year when it comes along," he said.
