Koonwaiyou, Wilson miss Southland contracts

BARRY HARCOURT/Southland Times

OUT OF HERE: Wing Tony Koonwaiyou hasn't been contracted with the Stags for 2010.

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The Stags have opted to not re-sign wing Tony Koonwaiyou as the focus turns to pulling together a group of players to defend the Ranfurly Shield in 2010.

Rugby Southland has confirmed the bulk of the successful 2009 Stags team has been re-signed for 2010, although Koonwaiyou is a notable omission.

The former Auckland and Crusaders wing signed a two-year deal with Rugby Southland in 2007.

At the time it was regarded as one of Southland's more exciting backline signings.

However, Koonwaiyou's first season in the south in 2008 was marred by a broken leg, which he received playing for Star in the Southland club competition.

He returned from injury this year and impressed at times, getting the odd start. However, he didn't do enough to gain another Southland contract.

The other notable omission from the contract list is first five-eighth-cum-fullback James Wilson.

Wilson this year brought up his 50th cap for the Stags but didn't do enough to retain a contract with Southland.

Rugby Southland boss Roger Clark said while Wilson hadn't been offered another contract he hoped the former Highlanders and Chiefs Super 14 player would stay in the region and attempt to prove his worth through club rugby.

Wilson's career is up in the air at the moment as he weighs up his options.

He is training with the Southland sevens team for the national provincial tournament in Queenstown next month.

Clark indicated the union needed to be smart with its contracts to ensure it remained under the salary cap in coming years.

The salary cap will come into play even more when it is reduced from $2.2 million to $1.35m to create a more even playing field between the 14 provincial unions.

With Wilson not contracted the first five-eighth stocks are a little light leading into next year.

The union is keen to get back former Auckland B player John Dodd on an academy contract after the youngster impressed to be named Southland development player of the year.

At the moment Robbie Robinson is the only out-and-out first five-eighth contracted to Southland.

Hooker Matt Holloway, who was this year lent to Counties, is still technically contracted to Rugby Southland although he is unlikely to play for the Stags.

Holloway is playing in the United Kingdom and will likely stay there with the blessing of Rugby Southland.

A similar situation has eventuated with Irish import David Gannon. Gannon has been signed for 2010 but may not actually play for the Stags again.

The lock was recruited this year to fill a gap in the locking department and has showed an eagerness to return.

However, Clark said the union wanted to give local talent the first option at cracking the Stags next season.

If it was found the locking depth was still too skinny it would attempt to call back Gannon.

CONTRACTED PLAYERS

Nick Barrett, Dion Bates, Josh Bekhuis, Tim Boys, Jimmy Cowan, Scott Cowan, Elliott Dixon (A), John Dodds (N), David Gannon, David Hall, John Hardie, Matt Holloway, Glen Horton, Jason Kawau (N), Chris King, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie Mackintosh, Seminar Manu, Fai Mika, Brayden Mitchell (A), Jason Morgan (A), Mike Newman (A), James Patterson, Micheal Peterson, Sonny Rangitohereri, Robbie Robinson, Jason Rutledge, Alex Ryan (A), Matt Saunders, Hua Tamariki, Alex Taylor (A), Pehi Te Whare, Joe Tuineau, Mark Wells.A = Academy contractN = in negotiation

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