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In-demand Scarlets coach Brad Mooar torn over coaching future
By Online Editors
Brad Mooar admits he is "torn" over whether to join Ian Foster's All Blacks set-up after the Scarlets head coach was offered the chance to return to New Zealand at the end of the Northern Hemisphere season.
Mooar has made a big impact since arriving in Llanelli in July but new All Blacks head coach Foster wants him as his attack assistant.
Discussions between New Zealand Rugby and the Scarlets are at an early stage, with Mooar yet to decide whether to stay in west Wales or return to the Southern Hemisphere and cut short the three-year deal he signed in Llanelli. An announcement isn't expected until the New Year.
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Asked if coaching the country of his birth would be too good an offer to turn down, Mooar said: "I'm torn, yes. This is tough and both options are outstanding.
"It would be a hell of a proud moment and it's humbling to be in the conversation. The question has been asked, we are grown adults, and we are having responsible conversations and things will pan out.
"We don't know, do we? I'm here and we're doing a great job with the group. They're working for each other and it's great. We'll just have to keep the conversations going."
The Scarlets confirmed in a statement last weekend that former Crusaders assistant Mooar had been approached by New Zealand and the two parties were in conversation. Mooar is likely to stay at the Scarlets for the rest of the 2019-20 season whatever he decides.
Scarlets are determined to maximise the compensation they would receive from New Zealand Rugby should Mooar move on, given he is only five months into his deal.
Scarlets showed no sign yesterday of Mooar's future distracting them, hammering Bayonne 46-5 in the European Challenge Cup, their eighth win in 11 games under the Kiwi.
"What you saw [against Bayonne] is the 'we' in our club is a hell of a lot bigger and stronger than the 'me'," Mooar said.
"The focus will remain. It's a wonderful place to be here and we are enjoying a great rise. The way we're playing the game and the fan base means this is bigger than one person. It's an exciting time.
"I doff my hat to the boys and staff, and the way everyone has pulled together has been outstanding. We have set a vision and are working together."
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Latest Comments
That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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