ALAN Gaffney, the surprise leading contender to be Newport's next coach, has received the backing of fellow-Australian Matt Mostyn.

Newport's leading try scorer knows Gaffney from his Super 12 days with New South Wales and gives him the thumbs-up.

Gaffney is in talks with Newport about the possibility of taking over from Ian McIntosh when he soon makes his expected announcement that he is returning to South Africa.

Gaffney is the assistant coach to Matt Williams of top Irish province Leinster - who beat Newport three times this season, twice in the Celtic League and once in the Heineken Cup - and was also assistant to Williams with New South Wales, coaching top club Randwick as well.

He was revealed in Saturday's Argus as a leading candidate to replace McIntosh as Newport's coach next season.

"He was in charge of the backs in the New South Wales squad and he's been a lot of the brains behind what Leinster have achieved, he's a big influence there," said Mostyn.

"He's very Australian, he's got a great rugby mind and this will be his first attempt at being sole coach."

Gaffney has been to Newport once already and has met the players. He is due at Rodney Parade for more talks.

"He had a chat with the boys and he handled it well. We were impressed," said Mostyn. "We have played a style under Mac that everyone is happy with and the boys are keen to keep going down the same line. He's very Southern Hemisphere, based on playing rugby similar to Mac."

lNewport scrum-half Ofisa Tonu'u, one of the biggest successes of the season, is set to sign a new two-year contract with the club.

"It's been a fantastic transition for me," said Tonu'u. "I think the future of the club is very good and I want to be part of a team going further in Europe.

"This is a family decision because we are all happy here. I didn't think in my wildest dreams it should turn out like this for me or my family."

The legions of Newport fans have taken Tonu'u to their heart, best signified by the standing ovation he received when he was substituted against Glasgow recently, especially coming just after the racial abuse he suffered at Bonymaen.

* Pictured: Newport are interested in Leinster coach Alan Gaffney