In what could be the last instalment of the long-running Paul Steinmetz saga, the NZRFU have declared he will remain with the Highlanders for the 2002 Super 12.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union received medical advice that the Achilles tendon problem dogging All Blacks centre Tana Umaga should not prevent him from being available for the Hurricanes at the start of next year's competition.

The Highlanders had feared that Umaga might be sidelined for much, if not all, of next year's Super 12 to recover from the niggling injury. In which case Steinmetz would have been hauled back to the capital to play centre outside of All Blacks second five eighths Pita Alatini, leaving Highlanders coach Laurie Mains' without a speacialist in that position.

"The latest medical opinion we have is that in all probability Tana will be ready to train with the Hurricanes by the start of February and should take a full part in the Super 12," NZRFU general manager of rugby, Steve Tew said.

"That being the case, there is no reason for the agreement that had already been reached allowing Paul Steinmetz to be drafted by the Highlanders, not to go ahead."

The saga began when Alatini signalled his intention to shift to Wellington from Otago, leaving Steinmetz miffed at the proposition of again being a second choice midfielder after sitting on the bench for so long behind retiring long time Wellington servant Jason O'Halloran.

Steinmetz reacted with a logical decision to move south to fill the void left by Alatini. But that shift was initially blocked by the Wellington Rugby Union with later negotiations allowing Steinmetz to play Super 12 for the Highlanders and his National Provincial Championship football back at the capital.