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Former England international set to coach in Super Rugby
By Alex Shaw
After a sixth-placed finish in the overall Super Rugby standings in 2018 – fourth-placed in the ultra-competitive New Zealand conference – Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has been tinkering with his coaching staff, in the hopes of chasing down the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Chiefs.
As stands, the former Leicester Tigers head coach has Mark Hammett as an assistant coach, Glenn Delaney as defence coach and Clarke Dermody as scrum coach. Hammett is the former Cardiff Blues director of rugby, Delaney held the same role at Nottingham before becoming forwards coach at London Irish, whilst Dermody spent time at Irish as a player in the late 2000’s.
In a coaching staff full to the brim with experience of the northern hemisphere game, Mauger is not afraid to add even more.
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The Highlanders have announced that former England and British and Irish Lions centre Riki Flutey is set to come onboard in January as the franchise’s skills coach, as he replaces the Sunwolves-bound Cory Brown.
Flutey, 38, won 14 caps for England, as well as starting in the final test of the Lions’ 2009 tour of South Africa. He helped the invitational side to victory over the Springboks in that test, a match which gave Flutey the then unique accolade of having played both for and against the Lions, having taken them on with the Maori All Blacks four years earlier in 2005.
He featured for both London Irish and London Wasps during his time in English rugby, which followed a stint in Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, before he finished up his career with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan.
On the opportunity to cut his coaching teeth at a higher level with the Highlanders, Flutey is enthusiastic.
“I am absolutely honoured to have the opportunity to join the Highlanders for their 2019 campaign. It's a great chance for me to join an exceptional group of coaches and players. I look forward to immersing myself in the team culture and getting the season underway.”
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Latest Comments
I can’t speak for Stuart, but the WB process has been dragging on for a fair while now… and I know he’s had three other solid offers in the meanwhile to coach at club/provincial level.
His ultimate aim is to coach at international level again.
Go to commentsThe debate was in the context of the Lions squad. Multiple club and national coaches have chosen him (considerably) more often at 7, so there’s enough people fancy he’s good in the role.
The win rates are vitally important for this Lions tour. ‘01/’05/’09 were losses. ‘17 was a draw and ‘21 was a utter disgrace that stained the game. And a loss. They’ve won one test series in 24 years. And just 12 months ago people were worried about how uncompetitive Australia might be. Talk about added pressure.
Farrell is a straight forward, no nonsense type of guy. He’ll probably pick conservatively and with guys in their proven positions. He hasn’t the time for bolters or shock calls. Not with the touring schedule they have.
You haven’t remotely offended me, chief. Not at all.
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