Chiefs bolster coaching panel
SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Chiefs have bolstered their coaching ranks with the addition of Roger Randle.
He will join the Colin Cooper, Neil Barnes, Nick White, Tabai Matson and Andrew Strawbridge for the 2019 season.
The current Waikato Rugby Union NPC assistant coach, Randle, will take up the position of assistant backs coach.
Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper said Randle will be a welcomed addition to their current coaching group.
“We are pleased to have Roger joining our coaching group and team,” Cooper said.
“He brings great knowledge of the game and will complement our coaching group really well. He is no stranger to working in this kind of environment, having held coaching roles with the Maori All Blacks and Waikato.
“It’s particularly special for Roger and our Club to be part of his journey from a player to a coach of the Chiefs.”
The All Black and former New Zealand Sevens star moved into coaching late in his playing career.
Randle’s coaching portfolio, spanning over 10 years, provides a wealth of attack coaching experience across both provincial and international rugby.
Randle said he is excited about the opportunity and is pleased to be returning to the Chiefs environment.
“I am stoked to get the opportunity to continue to develop my coaching in New Zealand in Super Rugby. It’s very special to be able to do it with my former team the Chiefs.”
“It is great continuity for me to step into the Chiefs role off the back of our Waikato campaign last year. Been based in Hamilton is a huge positive for me, my whanau do not have to move in order for me to continue to be a professional coach and I continue the professional development I have already done with Coops and Tabs before this. They are both great guys and I am looking forward to continuing to develop my coaching and working closely alongside Tabs,” said Randle.
Randle finished by acknowledging Waikato Rugby Union for their support to allow him to take up this opportunity.
“Waikato Rugby Union have been great in allowing me to take up this opportunity. We had a great group for last year’s campaign, now with Straws moving into the head coach role this year I am keen to continue with the Mooloos and build on our performance last year.”
