Chiefs coach feels let down

By CHRIS RATTUE

Chiefs coach Kevin Greene is disappointed in the handling of the Deacon Manu dispute which has left his side without their No 1 frontrower this season.

Greene questions whether New Zealand Rugby Union rules have been followed, and says it makes no sense for the All Black standby prop to join a team including test tighthead Kees Meeuws.

The Chiefs are set to bring in North Harbour tighthead Tevita Taumoepeau, who played 10 games for the Blues in 2001 and has had 19 tests for Tonga.

Taumoepeau, the 119kg scrummager not noted for pace around the field, got through a two-hour training session at Waikato Stadium yesterday and will have final tests today. He could be part of an all-Tongan front row at the Chiefs.

The loss of Manu is a bitter blow for the Chiefs, who may have to replace Wellington hooker Shane Carter and do not have one of the country's top-rated front rows.

Carter's groin problem is lingering and while he has a fortnight to prove his fitness, the hard running Tongan Aleki Lutui from Bay of Plenty has been called in, thus joining Taumoepeau and former Tongan loosehead and captain David Briggs.

Until last week, Greene was confident Manu would stay so Taumoepeau's late arrival means he is down on aerobic fitness.

Waikato and the Chiefs were the long-term winners in the Manu wrangle with Auckland and the Blues, retaining him although the 23-year-old will play in one Blues campaign.

In a compromise ratified by the NZRFU on Friday, Manu has been drafted to the Blues even though the Chiefs' top frontrower has never played for a province there.

Waikato sources claim Manu never spoke with Auckland coach Wayne Pivac, even though under NZRFU rules players transfer by province, and must not be lured by Super 12 promises.

While it is not mandatory for a player to speak to his prospective new provincial coach, the Waikato sources say it further suggests a mockery is often made of the rule.

Greene refused to comment so specifically but is dumbfounded that Manu, who initially accepted Auckland's approach and signed a two-year contract before backing out, has ended up with the Blues.

"There are not that many tighthead props. I thought New Zealand would want as many as possible playing," said Greene.

"There's a huge void of experience there and in the World Cup year I thought it was better for him to stay here. Then again, if you asked Sloany [Blues coach Peter Sloane] he would say differently.

"There's a whole issue of rules being broken and bent. I thought the Super 12 aimed to have as many top players as possible playing.

"I'm looking at it from my point of view ... it is disappointing and there's been a lot of people involved. I don't want to get into the politics. We've got to move on."

The Chiefs, under new captain Jono Gibbes, start with trials against the Highlanders at Pukekohe on January 31, the Waratahs in Mt Maunganui on February 6 and Hurricanes in Levin on February 14, before opening against the Highlanders in Hamilton on February 21.

* The Waratahs have included former rugby league stars Lote Tuqiri and Nathan Blacklock in an initial 30-man squad.