Jones has warning from Boe

By CHRIS RATTUE

Rugby great Michael Jones has taken over as coach of Manu Samoa, but his predecessor, John Boe, has warned that he faces a huge task restoring the side's international standing.

Jones, who turns 39 today, will be assisted by Samoan legend Peter Fatialofa, and former national coach Fepulea'i Selefuti Patu.

The new coaching team's first assignments will be against Tonga, Scotland and Fiji in May and June, with the Scottish test being played in Wellington.

Jones was appointed after an Auckland meeting between Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi - the chairman of Samoan Rugby - and Sir Michael Fay, the chairman of Manu Samoa Rugby Ltd, which run the national side.

Jones was unable to be contacted yesterday, but in a prepared statement said: "This appointment is special and I am humbled by it."

Jones, who played 55 tests for the All Blacks after a brief career with Samoa, must now tread the tricky path of getting top players available for his side. Samoa found themselves in a tough group at last year's World Cup and missed the quarter-finals, after running winners England surprisingly close before being crushed by South Africa.

Boe, the former Waikato coach, said it had been mutually decided that he step aside, and he believed the time was right for Jones to take over.

When asked about the problems Jones would face, Boe said: "It's the same old story, and unfortunately I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

"We've never wanted to stop the young players such as Jerry Collins and Brad Mika who can go on to become All Blacks. We don't want to stop guys who want to wear the black jersey.

"But there are a lot of other players in the NPC first division who should have the chance at international rugby. New Zealand rugby wouldn't lose."

Boe revealed he made a bid to get Chiefs fullback Loki Crichton into the Samoan squad before last year's World Cup when it seemed Crichton was headed for a Japanese club.

Boe said initially there seemed a strong chance that the Samoan-born Crichton, who came to New Zealand on a Kelston Boys High School rugby scholarship, would join the campaign.

But Samoa lost any chance of getting Crichton when he signed a new NZRFU contract, Boe claimed.

"There are players who wanted to play for Samoa but they are in a delicate situation - they don't want to lose their contracts here."