M¯aori ABs coach to fill in when Gats away

Ma¯ori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan has been appointed as interim head coach of the Chiefs for next year’s Super Rugby campaign.

McMillan has signed a one-year contract with New Zealand Rugby to coach the Chiefs while head coach Warren Gatland leads the Lions tour of South Africa.

McMillan will take up the role after he has completed his duties as Bay of Plenty director of rugby in this season’s Mitre 10 Cup. He helped Bay of Plenty to the Mitre 10 Cup Championship title last year.

His coaching ability was recognised in 2017 when he was appointed head coach of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side who faced the Lions during their 2017 tour of New Zealand and was also named as head coach of the Ma¯ori All Blacks that year.

Chiefs chief executive Michael Collins commended McMillan on his appointment.

“We are excited for Clayton to lead the Chiefs in 2021. He is a talented

Clayton is no stranger to the Chiefs team, having already worked alongside assistant coaches Roger Randle and David Hill and the playing group. Chiefs CEO Michael Collins

coach and was a stand-out candidate. He boasts an excellent track record of developing players and delivering success.

“[This is] not only during his tenure as the director of rugby for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, but during the Ma¯ori All Blacks and New Zealand Provincial Barbarians campaigns. The results he has achieved reflect his leadership ability.

“Clayton is no stranger to the Chiefs team, having already worked alongside assistant coaches Roger Randle and David Hill and a number of the Chiefs playing group,” said Collins.

McMillan said he was grateful for the chance to lead the Chiefs.

“Super Rugby has certainly been a goal of mine and I am honoured to be appointed as the interim head coach for the Chiefs. There is a fantastic pool of gifted athletes to work with along with an experienced and talented management group.”