Phillips is understood to have developed a cordial rapport with last year's players after he accompanied them on the pre-season tour to Canberra and Queensland.

Hemara admitted the past week had been hectic with countless meetings and McAlister's departure. Hemara elected to stay.

"I felt as long as Charlie left on his own terms, I was comfortable with that," said Hemara.

"My primary concern is with the players and the union.

"But Charlie's a good friend and it's been tough on his family. Things had been building for some time so it was not a complete shock."

Hemara said the events of the past week had been a setback but predicts the next two weeks will be pivotal.

"The players are keen to get back and be focused. My job is to make sure the focus stays on rugby."

The intention is to name 33 players for the match against Wairarapa-Bush on Wednesday, June 21, in Palmerston North. A Manawatu B team will also play a Wairarapa-Bush XV.

Then follows the match against Northland at Whangarei on Wednesday, July 1 and before that a training camp.

Union chief executive Hadyn Smith said everything around the team is being reviewed and there will be a number of unspecified changes.

"There are things we have to improve on and the (union) management have to do a bit of work," he said.

"But we're not in a vacuum at all.

People think nothing has been done and that perception is totally wrong. The planning is thorough and is being applied.

"Everything like this is a setback and occasionally you lose personnel. It doesn't revolve around one person."

He said the players are getting on with their training.

Yesterday they were also addressed by Alex McKenzie, the Hurricanes' franchise professional development manager with New Zealand Rugby Union links and who works with the Rugby Players' Association. He has been in Palmerston North for the past week.

 By PETER LAMPP