By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:57, Thursday, 08 May 2008

Tane Manihera will miss a big Carnegie Challenge Cup trip to Wigan to face the Super League giants on Monday night – but the Kiwi playmaker is not sure he deserves a place in any case.

Tane Manihera

The 33-year-old is unavailable to play at the JJB as he joined the club after the cup signing deadline, and he reckons the players who steered Haven in to the fifth round are more deserving.

He said: “It’s a shame as it would be great to play against stars like that, but it might have been unfair as I hadn’t played in any of the other cup games.”

Manihera pledged his commitment to Haven for the rest of the season, after completing his regular RU campaign with home-town club Wigton.

“I knew I was coming back to rugby league so I was training pretty hard,” added the half-back, who said his former club Workington Town had been his possible destination until his old boss Ged Stokes stepped in.

“I love rugby union, and playing for Wigton is a good way to be involved in the community, but rugby league is in my heart. I’ve played it since I was seven-years-old.”

Manihera debuted in Saturday’s reserve-grade 48-12 hammering of Widnes, creating four tries. He partnered top teenager Gregg McNally, in the halves, and the experienced Kiwi was impressed with the youngster, who has trained with Leeds Rhinos.

“He did very well,” Manihera said. “He’s getting there and has plenty of skill and vision. He needs to fill out a bit more, but if he continues to work had, he has a big future.”

Manihera is likely to have moved up the pecking order after Leroy Joe, a player from the same mould, broke his arm against Leigh on Monday.

“It’s not the way I wanted to get a place, that’s for sure,” he said. “Leroy’s been quality for years, and hopefully he won’t be out for too long. But injuries happen in this game. I’ll get my chance when I deserve it.”