Canterbury's negotiations with Akram are expected to intensify in coming days when Akram has finished playing in the third test for Pakistan against Australia.

Trist feels the move would not be a good one for several reasons.

``I don't think it helps the spirit of a side or is good for the local players and it does not help long-term planning.'' Trist said each province needs to assess its situation as it sees fit. Akram is being sought as an all-rounder who can boost Canterbury's chances of winning the Shell Cup and a crowd-pulling drawcard.

Auckland has undertaken several off-season recruiting measures itself, luring Bryan Young and Dion Nash across from Northern Districts, but Trist says they are longer-term moves.

``We wanted some hard-nosed street fighters who know what the game is about to lift the level of our intensity.'' Trist was tempted back to New Zealand with the challenge of improving an Auckland team which finished bottom of the Shell Cup and Trophy competitions. He has introduced measures of accountability using the experience gleaned from coaching not only New Zealand but also Holland and Hong Kong.