New Landers assistant pays tribute to ‘Cumby’
DAVE Dillon knows all about being a Highlanders man.
He got valuable insight into his new team from some wellbriefed sources when he spent four years as coach of the Kobe Steelers club in Japan.
Dillon has been unveiled as the latest member of the Highlanders coaching staff, joining new boss Clarke Dermody as an assistant coach with a special focus on defence.
The former Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Thames Valley flanker joins the club from Japan, where he went initially in 2016 to work for NEC following a fouryear spell as talent identification manager at the Chiefs.
At Kobe, Dillon worked closely with forwards coach Steve Cumberland, the beloved former Otago prop and Highlanders assistant coach, and a bit of that affection for the Highlanders region seeped through before Cumberland died suddenly in April.
‘‘Cumby was my neighbour in Kobe, and I worked with him for the last four years,’’ Dillon said in Dunedin yesterday.
‘‘You can’t go to a library and get a book on experience, and
Cumby had been around a long time.
‘‘What I loved about Cumby was he spoke his mind, and because of that, you knew where you stood, but it was always for the betterment of the team.
‘‘From a rugby point of view, I learned a lot off him, and I’d run a lot past him.
‘‘It was a really difficult and
sad time when he died. He was more than a colleague — he was a really good friend, and a special person to my wife and kids.’’
Dillon was looking forward to a chance to catch up with Cumberland’s widow, Pam, and children.
He also got some insight into his new team from Kobe’s quartet of Highlanders men: Ben
Smith, Hayden Parker, Richard Buckman and Tom Franklin.
‘‘They were all very proud to play for the Highlanders.
‘‘When this role came up, and I reflected on those guys, they’re all bloody good men and great players, so to have some discussions about what it’s like down here was really great.’’
Dillon hails from a small farming community in Thames Valley.
It was Chiefs country, but plenty of people had an affinity for the Highlanders, and after six years in Japan, joining the southern club was a good opportunity.
‘‘I just saw it as an opportunity to come back into New Zealand rugby, and to a team that I feel has a lot of potential.
‘‘I’ve always enjoyed watching the Highlanders play as well, so to get the opportunity to be involved in the capacity that’s been presented is really exciting.’’
Dillon is enthusiastic about the potential of the Highlanders and the chance to help some of the younger players develop.
He had a fiveyear stint as director of rugby and First XV coach at Sacred Heart College after his playing career ended, and is passionate about teaching.
‘‘Relationships are really important. Each individual is different in how and where they’ve grown up, and how they like feedback.
‘‘So before you can teach, they need to know you care, and that you’re genuinely interested in them, and I think that’s a strength of mine.’’
Dillon and wife Amanda have three daughters: Ava turns 18 next week and is finishing her schooling at Waikato Diocesan, Lily is 15 and Xanthe is 12.
Dermody has welcomed Dillon’s experience and what he will add to his coaching team.
‘‘Dave has a decade of involvement with coaching at a high level under his belt, and his experience in working with and developing players will add a vital ingredient to our coaching mix,’’ Dermody said.
‘‘He connects well with players and his coaching record demonstrates his ability to get the best out of them.’’
The Highlanders will confirm any more additions to their coaching staff later in the year.