1
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.
Continue reading below...
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.”
Watch: Exceptional Stories: Ian McKinley
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
Go to comments