With the departure of Dave Rennie looming, former Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper will take over the Chiefs following the 2017 Super Rugby season.
Cooper has signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs, but he will resume his role as Maori All Blacks coach for their big clash against the British & Irish Lions in 2017. Cooper will also get one more National Provincial season with Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup, prior to beginning his role at the Chiefs ahead of the 2018 season.
Cooper’s signing is no surprise and has been rumored for a few weeks now.
He will take over from Dave Rennie, who himself has led the Chiefs to multiple Super Rugby titles. Rennie will depart New Zealand to take up the coaching role at Glasgow, in Scotland.
Colin Cooper Brings Impressive Record To The Chiefs
His successor has never tasted success at Super Rugby level, but his side (the Hurricanes) came close during a famous fog-ridden final against the Crusaders in 2006. Cooper said that being involved in Super Rugby again is exciting.
With the ambitious and innovative setup at the Chiefs, it’s exciting, and to have the opportunity to develop young players for the future of New Zealand Rugby is something I am very passionate about.
As current coach of the Maori All Blacks, Cooper has a flawless record thus far. With the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, Cooper was coach from 2003-2010, before previously being involved as forwards coach of the Crusaders.
In fact, Cooper’s coaching career stems all the way back to 1993 where he was assistant coach of Taranaki. He hasn’t coached outside of New Zealand, so he knows rugby in this country well, and his experience will go far at the Chiefs, a side full of young talent.
The Chiefs will have a meeting to discuss the wider-coaching group for 2018, in the later part of 2017–finalized by the New Year.
The Coaching Record Of Colin Cooper
2013 – 2017: Head Coach, Maori All Blacks
2010 – 2017: Head Coach, Taranaki (2014 ITM Cup Premiership Winners, 2011 Ranfurly Shield holder)
2003 – 2010: Head Coach, Hurricanes
2005 – 2009: Co-Coach, New Zealand Junior All Blacks
2002: Forwards Coach, Crusaders
2001: Head Coach, New Zealand Under 21s
1999 – 2002: Head Coach of Taranaki, National Provincial Championship
1997 – 1998: Assistant Coach of Taranaki, National Provincial Championship
1996 – 1997: Director of Coaching at Taranaki Rugby
1993 – 1994: Assistant Coach of Taranaki, National Provincial Championship
Colin Cooper begins his Chiefs head coach role from November 2017.
“Main photo credit”
