McMillan gives Chiefs thumbs-up
Warren Gatland could be Chiefs assistant in 2021
He’s one of the most experienced coaches in world rugby, but Warren Gatland could find himself assisting a Super Rugby rookie at the Chiefs in 2021.
In a world thrown into unknowns due to Covid-19, Gatland’s coaching movements this year remain similarly grey, as the fate of the British and Irish Lions’ tour to South Africa hangs in the air.
All going to plan, Gatland was to take a sabbatical from his four-year Chiefs deal this season to lead the Lions, with Clayton McMillan stepping in on a one-year deal as interim head coach.
Yesterday, the
Chiefs announced McMillan had now also signed on as an assistant for 2022 and 2023. But, six weeks out from the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa, it’s this year which remains full of uncertainty.
The dire Covid situation in South Africa means the mid-year Lions tour is in serious doubt. A decision is expected by the end of this month. There are reports it could instead be hosted in the UK, otherwise postponed, or cancelled altogether. All of which leaves the Chiefs in limbo around what they
may or may not get out of Gatland.
It’s a unique situation, and a potentially unsettling one for McMillan, particularly in a maiden campaign, though the new man is taking it all in his stride in his first days in the job.
Speaking to Stuff, McMillan said all options were possible around the coaching setup for this year, but that if Gatland did become available, he doesn’t anticipate being bumped from his perch, and expects it won’t be a
board decision, but rather up to the duo to nut out a path forward.
‘‘It hasn’t really been talked about in any real depth,’’ McMillan said. ‘‘But if it happens, then I think it’ll actually be a pretty seamless integration. He’s one of the world’s most experienced coaches, we’ve built a really good relationship since my appointment [last February]. There’ll be a lot of open dialogue.
‘‘He’s made it really clear that he’s there to support me this year,
and whether that’s in a greater capacity than what we anticipated, then that’s what will happen. He doesn’t strike me as somebody who’s going to want to come back in here and want to take hold of the reins. And, equally, I’ll do what’s in the best interests of the team. And if that means we have a discussion around spreading the role then that’s what we’ll do.
‘‘It is a unique situation, and I don’t have all the answers for you right now. But I guess the point that I really want to make clear is it’s not something that I lose sleep over – I’m not a control freak, neither is he, and if he happens to be here then we’ll sit down around the table like men.’’
The Chiefs will already be running with one assistant coach less than last year, following the departure of Tabai Matson. McMillan confirmed Neil Barnes (forwards), Nick White (set pieces) and Roger Randle (attack) would continue with their same portfolios, while he and David Hill will split the defensive duties, with Hill also continuing his work with the kickers.
McMillan will then transition into his assistant role for the next two years – a job he said chief executive Michael Collins had always made clear was going to be there for him.
‘‘The plan all along has been for that to be extended,’’ McMillan said. ‘‘We just needed a few things to unfold before all that got confirmed, and fortunately we’ve been able to do that in the early part of the year.
‘‘I’ve really enjoyed my coaching journey, but I’ve always been the head coach.
‘‘I actually relish the opportunity to roll my sleeves up and really focus in on one particular area of the game and be mentored by somebody with a s...load more experience than what I’ve got. That’s only going to help my coaching journey. I’m far from the finished product. I’m going to make mistakes. And if you have somebody like Warren around then you potentially minimise the amount of mistakes you make because he’s made them all before.’’