Highlanders lose another coach

TRANSFER NEWS: New Zealander Glenn Delaney, the former London Irish player and assistant coach, will be back working in the United Kingdom by the end of the year.

He has agreed to trade in a Super Rugby defence coach role at the Highlanders for a similar position with the Pro14 franchise the Scarlets.

Delaney, who has been the Highlanders defence coach for the past two seasons, will team up with Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar, who is replacing the outgoing Wayne Pivac as the Scarlets head coach.

Mooar and Delaney played schoolboy rugby against each other in Christchurch and Delaney coached the Canterbury NPC team to a premiership title in 2016.

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark thanked Delaney for his contribution.

“Glenn has been a significant part of our coaching team over the last few seasons and is highly regarded by the players,” Clark said.

“His family have remained in the UK while he has been with us and we appreciate the sacrifices Glenn and his family have made over that time.

“We fully understand his reasons for wanting to return to the UK and wish him all the best in his future coaching roles.”

Delaney has enjoyed his time with the Highlanders.

“The environment that exists within the Highlanders is very special, I feel privileged to have been part of it,” Delaney said.

“I have worked with some outstanding men who I have learned from and have hopefully imparted some knowledge too.”

“However, the opportunity to reunite with my family in the UK and undertake a good coaching role with a strong club like the Scarlets was too good to turn down.”

Delaney will take up the role at the end of the current Super Rugby season.