Rugby: McGougan's shock move to Otago

Provincial rugby's horse-trading ramped up a gear this week with the Steamers in the thick of the action.
Just as Bay of Plenty signed on a new assistant coach and welcomed back a former player, they had to say goodbye to prop James McGougan, who signed with Otago this week.
McGougan's departure was a shock to the Bay union, which had banked on the 26-year-old prop recovering from lingering back issues and being available this season.
"We're bitterly disappointed because we see him as a Bay boy and a pretty important part of our core," Steamers coach Sean Horan said. "We've fought pretty hard to hold onto our quality core in the last few years, guys who are just as valuable for us off the field as they are on."
Otago union general manager Richard Reid said the union had done all its research on his injury and were confident the prop was fully fit for the season. This year McGougan has been playing second-five for Paroa in Baywide division one, as he struggled to recover from the back injury which sidelined him for most of last season.
The news tempered yesterday's predictable announcement of Paul Feeney as assistant coach of the Steamers.
Feeney takes over from Steve Miln, after operating as video analyst and technical advisor last year.
"We're really keen to use that continuity line and it was a no-brainer," Horan said. "He's technically and tactically very experienced and he's pretty passionate towards the role."
A former North Harbour first-five and fullback, Feeney has been assistant coach of Harbour and Fiji. He was head coach of Poverty Bay for three years before shifting to Tauranga. Meanwhile, Horan has also welcomed back former Bay flanker Warren Smith from a stint with Toshiba in Japan, with Smith selected in the BOP Wasps squad to play Saracens (Hawke's Bay) in Rotorua later this month.
Former Hurricanes halfback Jason Spice has also been included, as well as New Zealand under-20 No 8 Carl Axtens.
Wasps squad to play Saracens Rotorua, May 25: Manu Saula, Nathan Harris, Josh Hohneck, Tristan Moran, Pingi Talapitaga, Cory Masters, Wade Pererira, Leon Power, Leighton Price, Matt Roulston, Luke Andrews, Steven Shenk, Matt Clutterbuck, Carl Axtens, Warren Smith, Josh Hall, Chris Miller, Jason Spice, Daniel Waenga, Chris Noakes, Nick McCashin, Doug Edwards, Afai Esera, Courtney Mohi, Te Hata Wilbore, Te Amo Wilbore, Jason Hona, Lance MacDonald, John Stewart, Tutere Waenga.