Rugby Union: Mains put on hold: All Blacks may drop coach

(First Edition)

LAURIE MAINS has a reputation as a determined fighter for his beliefs, but this week he is waging one of the toughest battles of his career as he attempts to hold on to the post of All Blacks' coach.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union council announces tomorrow whether Mains is to lead the side into next year's World Cup tournament in South Africa - or whether he will be replaced by one of his most trenchant critics, John Hart.

The biggest obstacle confronting Mains is New Zealand's recent record. The All Blacks have lost four of their last seven Tests, while the series loss to France earlier this year led to calls for his head.

Those have been muted only slightly by a series win over South Africa and a brave but losing effort against Australia, the world champions.

With New Zealanders having grown accustomed to regular victories and quality performances, the critics say Mains has made far too many changes to the All Blacks' team since taking over in 1992.

Uncommunicative and often hostile towards the press, Mains argues that New Zealand, who won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, needs continuity in the coaching position, and says a change would be dangerous with less than 12 months to go before the start of the 1995 tournament.

Hart, the influential Auckland coach, had a brief but successful stint in charge of the All Blacks in 1991. However, he would have little time in which to experiment, as New Zealand have only one Test scheduled, against Canada in April, before the start of the World Cup.

Welsh romantics, page 30