Manawatu rugby future not gloomy despite relegation

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 35

Manawatu rugby future not gloomy despite relegation

PA Palmerston North Relegation to the second division does not necessarily mean a gloomy future for rugby in Manawatu, says the coach, Gary Walker. Walker even predicts it may be good for the union, which will be in the second division for the first time since the national championship began in 1976. The team lost its Division One status when it could only manage a bonus point against Waikato on Saturday and the rival Bay of Plenty team secured an extra one against North Harbour. “We only plan to be in the second division one year,” Walker said. "It will give us a chance to rebuild our resources. The team which will replace us in the first division we’ve already beaten.” Manawatu defeated the leading second division sides, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa-

Bush, earlier this year. “There’s no way people should drop their lip and be anti. It’s definitely not the end of the world,” Walker said. He said most people did not expect the team to win any games. “No other union has had to start in such a devastating way. We had to regroup three times and we won a game without the university players and scored four tries to none. "Manawatu will look forward to having a top, side if we create the right climate to play for Manawatu,” Walker said. He believes the team will lose only the usual number of players through natural attrition, not because the team has lost its top status. The Manawatu Rugby Union chairman, Mr Kevin Quigan, said in March the union would need a miracle “to get out of it” and was now

looking on the positive side. He said relegation would affect the union’s income and ability to attract sponsorship. "But we have the national sevens in Palmerston North and we are very hopeful of a top • game against either France or Argentina early in the season.” Mr Quigan said the effects might not be negative if the team got on a winning streak and he was confident of still securing matches against major division one teams. “It’s no good crying, we know where we are now. We were struggling in the bottom four — now we have a chance to compete and give the players confidence,’’ Mr Quigan said. The championship schedule wil be decided after Hawkes Bay plays Wairarapa-Bush in the second division play-off on Saturday. Manawatu will take over the promoted team’s matches.