Gaffney sees red at Latham u-turn

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney is fuming over the decision of Wallaby full back Chris Latham’s decision to turn down an offer from the Irish province after signing a letter of intent to join them following the Rugby World Cup later this year.

But Gaffney believes there is no point in pursuing the matter. “We only want players who want to play for us,” he said yesterday. “As far as we’re concerned he’s made his decision and that’s final so we’re not going on with it. We don’t want people who don’t want to be here.”

Gaffney said Latham’s handling of the issue, after he told him eight days ago he was coming to Ireland, was “less than admirable.”

“Munster people are people who look each other in the eye and are honest with each other. Whatever Chris decides now after what has transpired is Chris’ decision. If he wants to be here, he’s here ... if he doesn’t want to be here he’s not here.”

Still, Gaffney is troubled that a lot of time has elapsed since the discussions began and that his desire to add a top quality international-class player to the Munster squad for next season could now be stymied.

Latham was expected to take up the Munster deal but apparent pressure to stay with the Queensland Reds won the day.

Gaffney has known Latham since their days at Sydney club Randwick in the mid-1990s.

Latham said he had yet to make a definite decision about his future but it’s hardly likely to be with Munster now. “Everyone’s entitled to a comment and if that’s his well .... that’s fine,” Latham said yesterday.

“I still haven’t made a decision, but I’ll know in a couple of days.”

Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jeff Miller, who announced the re-signing of fly-half Elton Flatley and prop Nick Stiles until 2005, said Latham still had unfinished business in Australia.

“Chris had given a verbal agreement to Munster and had signed a letter of intent,” Miller admitted. “But when Chris considered his options there were a few things to the forefront of his mind. One was to play 100 games for the Reds and another was to continue on his Test career.”

“Even the Irish could see that his passion was to play here for a couple more years and then perhaps look offshore.”

Gaffney did pledge, however, that he would continue to seek out a top quality player to assist Munster’s campaign next season.

“We haven’t given up our search to strengthen the squad,” he said.