also, why assume that waibop screwed up?
they seem well run to me
and they did have him signed and photographed shaking hands with peter smith!
http://www.waibopunited.co.nz/o-league-golden-boot...
"The lad's an immense talent and he genuinely wants to come to the club," Smith said.
"We're still working on it, but it's proven a bit difficult for an organisation that's never done this before.
"For me as a coach it's hugely frustrating. We've got a player, an O-League Golden Boot, who any other club in the region would be clambering to sign, so my frustrations are huge."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/1054950...
the other key point is that the player signed an agreement with waibop (which they reluctantly terminated at the players request)
"He's a top lad, he's a hundred per cent honest and up front."
i wonder what smith would say now...