Pivac's resignation as Fiji's national coach was announced on Friday, just five months after his appointment to the 2007 World Cup had been confirmed. He cited family reasons for his decision.

Now the ex-Auckland coach will not, seems, be far from home. He has apparently been offered the post of North Harbour coach and will accept the post.

The present coach is Allan Pollock and North Harbour are the holders of the Ranfurly Shield.

As there was pressure on Pivac to be replaced last August, so there has been pressure on Pollock who was supposed not to be on good terms with senior players and has been asked to reapply for his job.

There had been talk that Sevens guru Gordon Tietjens was in the mix but the negotiations broke down because he wanted to stay with the Sevens team and in any case liked the Bay of Plenty.

The Fijians may well have reason to feel aggrieved.