Rugby: Players in holding mode until coach known

Several key Highlanders' players have put on hold decisions about their playing futures until the franchise has appointed new coaches.

Tom Donnelly and Adam Thomson have said they will decide once they know the lie of the land. Others are in the same boat, although Jimmy Cowan and Jamie Mackintosh have made a commitment to stay.

Israel Dagg has not confirmed his intentions yet but has previously said he is 95 per cent certain he will shift to the Crusaders, while one other non-All Black in the squad decided last week to move on.

With so much hanging on the coaching team, the pressure is intense not only for quick action but for an appointment the players support and believe in.

All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen has expressed an interest in being involved with the franchise. But it's a little murky as to what capacity he would want to be involved.

Given his application for head coach at the Crusaders was rejected by the New Zealand Rugby Union in 2008, taking on a full-time role with the franchise would not be sanctioned.

His likely involvement is as a director - a sounding board to the appointed coach and a technical adviser.

Jamie Joseph, whose star has risen following the success of the New Zealand Maori, is thought to be one of the leading contenders while the Southland duo of David Henderson and Simon Cullhane will have ample support.

Interest has been heavy and the challenge is to find a coach who can unify, and inspire the region and instil a culture that reflects the area's values.

At their peak - between 1998-2002 - the Highlanders tapped into the Southern Man themes of honesty, hard work and loyalty to the team.

Much of that was destroyed in 2003 when senior players clashed with coach Laurie Mains. Relations became tense and the team's results have been in steady decline since.

The last two years have also seen steep drops in attendances and the Highlanders face a record financial loss this year.

There is agreement within the franchise and the New Zealand Rugby Union, who have bankrolled the Highlanders since 2008, that the rot has to stop now.

The Highlanders have to become a team players want to be a part of; they have to build a more credible performance record; and they have to do more to bring back fans and engage their sponsors.

Last year there were constant stories about key players wanting to leave and others turning down lucrative offers to shift South. It is also believed there was discontent in the squad when Jason Shoemark - a Hawke's Bay player drafted in - was made captain in the injury-enforced absence of Cowan. A respected and much-liked player, the issue with Shoemark was that he was not from the Highlanders' region.

This year's campaign was further hampered by an incident after the loss to Western Force in Queenstown that required management to discipline assistant coach Peter Russell. While the incident was believed to have been minor, it is understood to have rankled many in the squad.

Southland's chief executive Roger Clark has been seconded on a short-term contract to help put in place the foundations of a major re-build. He's reviewed the past year and recommended coaching posts be advertised. He's also responsible for trying to sign up existing players and evaluate the right commercial model.

"You have to have the right structure in a high performance environment," says Clark. "You have to have a whole lot of things in place but there is no doubt that winning more games would help.

"But you can't go out and buy a team. You have to build one; put in place the right cultures and structures and the best starting point is the appointment of the coaches."

Retaining Thomson and Donnelly is key to the 2011 season. The Highlanders would not only miss them but would be hurt by the message their departures would send - that it's possible to become an All Black at the Highlanders but best to move after that.

Thomson is reportedly considering a move to the Crusaders while Donnelly, originally from Rotorua, could shift to either the Chiefs or Blues.

It's not known which of the prospective applicants the players want to see appointed. The Southland contingent in the squad - there were 11 this year - have a strong rapport with Cullhane and Henderson.

Joseph is an Otago legend having played there through the glory years of 1989-1995 - a period which included a win against the British & Irish Lions, one NPC title and three other final appearances.

As a coach, he has steered the Wellington Lions to the last two finals and he took the Maori undefeated through their Centenary Series. While his achievements demand respect and he understands the region, there's a bit of the old school about Joseph's approach that doesn't always sit well with all current players.

His no-nonsense approach may be just what the Highlanders need. However, some established names with offers from elsewhere might decide they want to escape to a 'softer' environment.

Clark is pushing for a decision within the next few weeks. He also confirmed the Highlanders will continue with playing three games every two years outside of Dunedin.