Scarlets snag a Kiwi coach

NEWS: Another of New Zealand’s prominent coaches will be heading to Europe to further his career.

Scarlets confirmed that Brad Mooar has been signed as the region’s new coach for the 2019-20 season and beyond.

Mooar, 44, will join the West Wales region from the successful Super Rugby side Crusaders.

Mooar will bring with him a wealth of coaching experience having been an assistant coach at the Crusaders for the last three seasons, coach at National Provincial Championship side Southland, Stags as well as attack and backs coach with South African sides Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings in the Super 15.

The EP Kings were unbeaten in South Africa’s domestic First Division second tier) during Mooar’s tenure.

The experienced coach leads team attack, as well as strategy and tactics at the Crusaders.

Away from the field Mooar is a qualified solicitor and was admitted as barrister and solicitor to High Court of New Zealand in 1997.

He has been hailed for his inspirational leadership and excellent management skills.

“After a detailed and comprehensive search, we are delighted to have secured an exceptional coach in Brad,” Scarlets General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels said.

“As part of the recruitment process we have taken extensive references on all candidates and what came through loud and clear on Brad was that he is one of New Zealand’s best coaching prospects and destined for great things.

“We pride ourselves in appointing players and coaches that not only perform on the field, but also contribute to the ethos and environment of the club and our wider community. Brad’s rugby philosophy, leadership style and personality are everything we were looking for in a head coach.

“Brad has been an assistant coach with the Crusaders over the last three seasons helping the side to two consecutive Super Rugby titles. Brad has a great understanding of what is required for success and how to build a winning culture.

“Throughout the process, we have been hugely impressed with Brad’s appreciation of Scarlets’ place in the community, his passion for developing players and the research he had done on our heritage.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Brad and his family to West Wales, we’re excited about the future but we still have everything to play for this season which will remain our primary focus.”

Mooar said the opportunity to further his coaching career in the Northern Hemisphere following the 2019 season is exciting for his young family.

“It’s never an easy decision to step away from an environment that means so much to you and, come the end of the Super Rugby season, the moment will no doubt be bittersweet,” Mooar said.

“However, the opportunity to take on the role of head coach at the Scarlets is simply too good to pass up and is both an exciting challenge for myself, and a fantastic opportunity for my family to experience life on the other side of the world.

“Scarlets is a winning club with an extremely proud history, passionate fans, and is aspirational in its goals. It is humbling to be offered the opportunity to take the reins after the great work Wayne Pivac has led, as he moves on to the Wales job.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved during my time at the Crusaders, and I’m certainly focussed and looking forward to one final campaign alongside this special group of coaches, management and players.

“The Scarlets is a brand that’s known the world over, it is a winning club with an extremely proud history, passionate fans, and is aspirational in its goals. It is humbling to be offered the opportunity to take the reins after the great work Wayne Pivac has led, as he moves on to the Wales job.

“In addition to Scarlets’ on-field rugby pedigree, with a strong squad of talented and largely homegrown players, the club represents its wider community with great pride and dedication. My family and I are looking forward to being a part of the wider Scarlets community integrating into life in West Wales.”

Mooar progressed through the Canterbury age grades as a flyhalf, reaching Canterbury B level. He played for Mid-Canterbury from 1997-1999 and then played overseas before returning to Christchurch to take up coaching.

His first coaching role was with the Christchurch Colts and then the club’s premier team from 2007 to 2011. In 2011 he became the assistant coach of the Canterbury Colts.

In 2012 he moved to South Africa to coach the EP Kings then become assistant coach of the Southern Kings Super Rugby side under Matt Sexton’s leadership.

He returned to New Zealand to take up the head coach and Director of Rugby role at Southland.

Crusaders Chairman Grant Jarrod acknowledged Mooar’s important contribution to the franchise.

“Brad has not only been an integral member of the Crusaders coaching group over the past three seasons, he is a popular member of our wider organisation and our extended Crusaders family,” Jarrod said.

“We’re fortunate he won’t be leaving us just yet and will remain in the Assistant Coach role for the 2019 campaign, but Brad, Anna and family will depart at the end of the season with our heartfelt thanks and very best wishes,” Mr Jarrod said.

Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson congratulated Mooar on his new role: “Brad is such an important part of the Crusaders leadership team – he’s intelligent, insightful and is hugely respected by the playing group and management alike.

“While we’ll miss him, this is an amazing opportunity for Brad to step into the top job as a Head Coach, and his Crusaders family will have plenty of motivation to send him out on the best possible note at the end of this season,” Robertson said.