A Dunedin club is questioning the reappointment of Steve Martin as Otago coach while another is wondering what direction Otago rugby is taking.
A meeting may be organised to gauge the feeling among clubs but those contacted yesterday supported the retention of Martin and his assistant coach, Bruce Carvell.
Martin was reappointed earlier this week, with Carvell as his assistant. Last season Otago finished a disappointing 10th in the Air New Zealand Cup, failing to make the quarterfinals.
Former Otago hooker and captain David Latta was appointed as a selector.
The coach-ing team is in place for one year, with the status of the Air New Zealand Cup due to change in 2010.
Alhambra-Union chairman Gary Wheeler said there was talk of having a meeting of club chairmen to discuss the reappointment of Martin.
"People are not happy. Some of them can't fathom how he got reappointed. The majority of people wanted some sort of change," Wheeler said.
Alhambra-Union coach Mike Moeahu, who has steered the club to two premier titles in three years, applied for the coaching job.
"We know it is not our decision but I think we need to make our feelings known. We have still got a bit to do with the place, to voice our opinion."
Moeahu is set to return to coaching the Alhambra-Union premiers next year, Wheeler said.
Dunedin chairman Andrew Rooney said there was disappointment in the state of Otago rugby and there did not appear to be any positive direction in it.
"We are not seeing anything in how we are supposed to be turning it [Otago rugby] around," Rooney said.
"If they have got a plan to where they are taking Otago rugby then it hasn't been passed down."
He said communication from the union to clubs could be better.
Southern chairman Ross Falconer said he was disappointed to read about the coaching decision in the Otago Daily Times, rather than be told by the union.
He said it was upsetting to not be made aware of the process.
Arrowtown chairman Simon Spark said Martin had a fair crack at the job over three years and had not got the desired results, so maybe it was time to look at somebody else.
Kaikorai chairman Ron St Clair-Newman said the club had no issue with the decision, with Martin being the most experienced and suitable candidate.
He said there were no real alternatives.
Green Island chairman Gareth Weatherston said the issue had not been discussed, while Harbour chairman Martin Paris said the club was satisfied with the matter.
Zingari-Richmond past-president Kenny Ball said the issue had not been discussed.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said the usual practice was to send an email to all stakeholders about the coaching appointment before it was publicly released.
He said people were entitled to their opinion, but he was happy with the process.
Reid said earlier this week Martin and Carvell were reappointed as they were the best candidates, with the most coaching experience and knowledge of players.
