Wellington, Feb 23 NZPA - Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains has joined the board of the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU).

He was elected to the board at its annual meeting in Dunedin last night.

Mains, who coached the All Blacks from 1992 to 1995, has a lengthy assoication with Otago, having played for the province in the 1960s and 1970s before coaching Otago from 1984 to 1991.

He also coached the Highlanders in the Super 12 in 2002 and 2003 before an acrimonious falling out with the players and franchise chief executive John Hornbrook.

Mains told the annual meeting that life in business and rugby was all about being accountable.

"The time is right for me, with the experience and the knowledge of this game, that I give something back to the game," the Otago Daily Times newspaper reported him as saying.

Mains was one of two newcomers named on the board, being joined by Otago District Health Board chief medical officer Richard Bunton.

Board chairman Ron Palenski is standing down after seven years in that role.