All Blacks get their man ... finally
TRANSFER NEWS: It is not exactly a secret that New Zealand wanted his services. Now they have him!
The All Blacks received an early Christmas present Tuesday with Welsh club Scarlets agreeing to release coach Brad Mooar for an undisclosed sum, New Zealand Rugby announced.
Mooar, who was only six months into a three-year contract with Scarlets, will become an assistant under Ian Foster in the new All Blacks coaching set up.
It is understood the Welsh club had put a price tag of around £200,000 (around US$260,000/€233,000) on Mooar, who joined the club after being part of the highly successful coaching team at Super Rugby champions Crusaders.
“We’re pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Scarlets which will see Brad return to New Zealand in June at the conclusion of the club’s European competitions,” New Zealand Rugby’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said.
“We’d like to thank Scarlets for the positive, constructive and efficient approach they have taken around these discussions,” Lendrum added.
“We recognise the difficult position it put the club in, but they, like us, also recognised that it was a fantastic opportunity for Brad — the chance to coach his country.”
Lendrum said details of the agreement between New Zealand Rugby and Scarlets were confidential, but he confirmed “it did include the payment of some compensation” for the Welsh club.
Foster, who took the helm of the All Blacks after Steve Hansen stepped down following their semifinal loss to England in the World Cup two months ago said he was “delighted to have Brad confirmed to join us”.
Mooar will look after the attack in the new All Blacks coaching set-up, with former Hurricanes coach John Plumtree the forwards’ coach, Greg Feek is the new scrum coach while Scott McLeod remains in charge of defence.
The 45-year-old Mooar was the attack coach for the Crusaders during their run of three Super Rugby championships from 2017-19 and previously worked in South Africa as backs coach for the Southern Kings Super Rugby side.
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“I know the new coaching group is excited and keen to get into their work next season and we’ll look forward to welcoming Brad in following his commitments with Scarlets,” Foster added.
“On behalf of the All Blacks, I’d also like to thank Scarlets for their understanding around Brad’s release. It is very much appreciated.”
Brad Mooar said: “To be joining the All Blacks coaching staff next year is an incredibly humbling and proud moment for my family and me. The opportunity to help coach your country comes around very rarely, so I would like to thank the Scarlets club for allowing me to join the All Blacks.
“Similarly, I’d like to thank Ian Foster and NZR not only for this opportunity, but also to finish the season with the Scarlets.
“The support I have had from both sides of the world has been amazing.
“The Scarlets players, staff, fans and Board have all been superb and it is hugely appreciated by my family. I will be giving it my all with this special group of people at the Scarlets this season to help us achieve our goals before we head back to New Zealand to join ‘Fozzie’ and the All Blacks.”
