The Chiefs Have Finally Found Someone To Replace Glasgow Bound Dave Rennie

The Chiefs have finally got their man.

New Zealand Rugby and The Chiefs have announced that Colin Cooper will take over as coach from Dave Rennie in the 2018 Super Rugby season. Cooper has been appointed on an initial three-year term, succeeding Dave Rennie who will depart at the end of the 2017 season to coach the Glasgow Warriors in the PRO12.

The current Maori All Blacks and Taranaki Mitre 10 Cup Head Coach has been coaching professionally for over 20 years, including eight seasons as Head Coach of the Hurricanes from 2003-2010.

Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman said:

“We are very happy to have secured a coach of Colin’s calibre to lead the Chiefs into our 2018 campaign.

He has a proven track record at international, Super Rugby and provincial levels and we have every confidence he will enhance the legacy Dave Rennie and his team have established here at the Chiefs.

The fact he is a home grown coach and is passionate about nurturing young talent will continue to give us a competitive edge.

“Colin’s appointment well in advance of our 2018 campaign gives us plenty of time to focus on building our squad and ensure the transition to the new regime is a smooth one. It is an exciting prospect, but in the short term we are all focused on securing another Super Rugby title in 2017.”

Colin Cooper said:

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Chiefs in 2018 and contributing to the proud, competitive and successful legacy of the Club.

To be involved in coaching Super Rugby again within the ambitious and innovative setup at the Chiefs is exciting and to have the opportunity to develop young players and coaches for the future of New Zealand rugby is something I’m very passionate about.

“I strongly believe that establishing a cohesive team culture where our people are constantly striving to become better people as well as better players, coaches and administrators is the only way to create meaningful long-term success.

I’m excited by what’s to come in the near future beginning with the Maori All Blacks and Taranaki in 2017, and then launching into a new era with the Chiefs in 2018.”