Huge campaign to keep Latham at Queensland

IRISH weather and a massive fan campaign could prove to be Munster’s biggest stumbling blocks in their bid to land Queensland and Australian full-back Chris Latham.

Queensland Red rugby officials met with Latham yesterday in a bid to halt his planned transfer to Munster while the local newspaper launched a campaign to keep the international on home soil.

The contrast in weather condition between the Sunshine State and the Emerald Isle appear to be the main weapon which his bosses are using in their efforts to keep the talented full-back in the southern hemisphere.

The Wallaby and Reds star has been reminded about the starkly contrasting climatic differences between the Sunshine State and Ireland while he considers an offer to join forces with Alan Gaffney.

Latham met yesterday with Queensland Rugby Union CEO Jeff Miller in a bid to head off his planned move.

The dynamic Reds custodian has insisted lifestyle and family factors rather than finances have been a major reason for his interest in Munster.

But Miller said part of the QRU push to dissuade Latham from his Irish fling was to point out some facts about living in Ireland, including its wet weather.

Latham has not ruled out another Super 12 campaign for the Reds who face a major rebuilding operation next season regardless of whether he stays, or heads overseas.

He is currently facing three to four weeks on the sidelines with a painful rib injury he refused to confirm he'd follow Queensland skipper Toutai Kefu (off to Japan) overseas, to play in Europe

"Mate, with me it's happiness ... I don't really care for money although obviously it's good to have and it's good to get paid well for doing something you love," he said.

Yesterday, leading rugby sponsor Castlemaine-Perkins and newspaper The Courier Mail commenced a 'Don't Go Latho' campaign in a bid to keep star full-back Chris Latham at the Bank of Queensland Reds next season.

"We will be putting up signs changing the name from XXXX Hill to 'Don't Go Latho Hill,' said Castlemaine-Perkins spokesman Michael Blucher.

"If there's a hint of him staying, we want to show that his biggest fan club think he should remain a Reds player. We will be re-naming The Hill in his honour."

The Courier Mail is also encouraging fans to bring banners to the ground on Saturday urging Latham to stay, while supporters can e-mail the paper with their messages for the full-back.

Former Wallaby prop Chris Handy has also weighed into the debate by saying Ballymore wouldn't be the same without Latham's unscripted magic.

"He's as Campese-like as any player I've seen because he so often does the first, brilliant thing that comes into his head,' Handy enthused.