Key Stag may not return
Wharenui’s Hawera’s spot in the 2017 Southland squad is up in the air with coach Hoani Macdonald hoping to find out in the next fortnight if the first five-eighth will return to the Stags.
Last year Rugby Southland signed Hawera on a two-year contract and he was one of the Stags bright lights in his rookie season in the maroon jersey.
While Hawera missed Super Rugby selection in New Zealand he was snapped up by Australian team the Brumbies for this year’s campaign.
He has fast become their firstchoice first five-eighth and it is understood he is in contract negotiations with the Brumbies for an extension to stay in Canberra.
If he does re-sign with the Brumbies it is likely he will not be released to head back to New Zealand to play in the Mitre 10 Cup for Southland.
While he is still officially signed to the Stags for 2017 Macdonald felt making him return, and effectively hindering his contract negotiations with the Brumbies, isn’t something they would be comfortable doing.
‘‘We are hoping to get him back but he is working with the Brumbies about a possible contract extension and the chances are if he gets that he won’t be back [for the Stags].
‘‘The Brumbies may want him to stay there and if that’s the case we’ll support that. For me one part of being a coach is getting the players to the next level which is Super Rugby - and with the way the landscape is now it might be in Australia or it might be in Japan.
‘‘We signed him for two years but it is pretty hard to stop someone’s progress. What sort of player would we get back if we said no [to the release] and stop his dream of playing Super Rugby?’’
The recent development has created plenty of head-scratching for the Stags decision-makers as they now wait for confirmation on Hawera.
Lima Sopoaga is signed with Rugby Southland but again his time with the Stags will be dependent on if he is part of the All Blacks or not. Macdonald feels he probably will be part of the All Blacks and is planning around Sopoaga not being available.
Scott Eade has already signed and shapes as the first-choice starter in the No 10 jersey this year.
Greg Dyer remains in the setup and is the next first five-eighth in the queue but he hasn’t yet been signed as the Hawera dilemma plays out.
If the Stags were to act on the current situation and sign another first five-eighth they could end up having four first five-eighths on the books if Hawera and Sopoaga ended up being available.
‘‘We are in a tricky position at the moment where our two frontline 10s might not be playing for us, but then they also could be as well,’’ Macdonald said.
‘‘The [Hawera] situation wasn’t foreseen and is a new thing for us with him going over to Australia and being contracted from Australia. But now we know.’’
The Stags are expected to contract 26 to 29 players this season and to date have 21 locked in. Lock, outside back and the first fiveeighth situation still look to be up in the air.
Macdonald said they were still in talks with Western Force lock Matt Phillip about possibly returning for a second season with the Stags.
Otherwise, the remaining spots are likely to be decided through club form over the next month and also the town and country fixture at Queens Birthday weekend.