Lowe pulls out of Manly race

Former New Zealand rugby league coach Graham Lowe has effectively withdrawn from the race to be the new coach at NRL club Manly -- clearing the way for Des Hasler to take the job.

Leagues club chairman Ken Arthurson had named Lowe as a possible successor to the outgoing Peter Sharp -- who resigned yesterday. But just hours after saying he was keen to succeed Sharp -- Lowe is reviewing his decision.

He told Radio Sport in Wellington he won't stand in the way of the former Manly player Hasler, who is a warm favourite to get the job. Lowe says he'll make it clear to Manly that if Hasler doesn't want the job he'll do it -- but he won't compete for the position.

Health problems forced Lowe to quit coaching in 1993 after a glittering career with the Kiwis, Queensland and Manly, before embarking on an unsuccessful run with the Cowboys that ended in 1996.