Rugby: BOP coach missing from training

Greg Smith's future as Bay of Plenty coach is in doubt just days out from the start of the Air NZ Cup. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Greg Smith's future as Bay of Plenty rugby coach is in doubt just four days out from the start of the Air NZ Cup season.

The former Fiji and Waikato hooker was a notable absentee from the Steamers training in Mount Maunganui yesterday.

He could not be contacted for comment, the Bay of Plenty Times reported today.

The paper understood he attended a meeting with the union yesterday morning, then left for Hamilton.

Assistant coach Steve Miln and technical advisor Sean Horan took training in his absence, with Chiefs coaches Ian Foster and Craig Stevenson there on a routine visit.

BOP Rugby Union chief executive Jeremy Curragh confirmed Smith was due back tomorrow for another meeting.

"We've got some concerns on the way the Steamers are tracking in such a critical season and we're working as hard as we can to get things back on track," Curragh said.

"We've agreed with Greg that he should take a few days off and Steve and Sean will continue to take training in his absence, holding the fort."

The development comes after a woeful pre-season from the Steamers.

They struggled to a 28-19 win over Counties-Manukau in Whakatane, then lost 7-35 to Hawke's Bay on Friday.

Alarm bells have been ringing at union headquarters with this season looming as critical and it's believed the board had an emergency meeting on Sunday.

Four teams will be pruned from this year's Air New Zealand Cup to make way for a 10-team NPC premier division next year and Bay of Plenty are currently ranked ninth.

The Steamers begin their campaign with a match against Northland in Rotorua on Friday night, followed by a rematch with Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe a week later.

Both games are crucial for the Steamers, against opposition widely tipped to be relegated.

Smith, 35, was employed in March on a one-year contract.

He'd previously coached Waikato club Fraser Tech to championship victory in 2008 and has been a scrum coach for the Waikato Rugby Union.

In 2001, he was the assistant coach of Fiji when they won the Pan Pacific Championship. He played for Fiji for 10 years.

- NZPA