Parkes backs Kiwi pal Mooar to be success in new coaching role
HADLEIGH Parkes believes his good friend Brad Mooar will be a great fit for the Scarlets when he arrives to replace Wayne Pivac as head coach next summer.
Mooar, currently assistant at Super Rugby champions the Crusaders, used to coach Parkes at club level in Christchurch and when they were in South Africa with the Southern Kings.
Mooar was also Parkes’ agent during his early rugby career and the pair have stayed good friends since, with Mooar attending the Wales star’s wedding in the summer where he was sat next to a certain Mr Pivac.
“That was a complete coincidence,” smiled Parkes. “Brad and I go back a long way. He was my club coach when I was at Christchurch when I first went down there for university so I have known him since I was 18 or 19.
“Then he was my first agent when he was a partner in a law firm.
“He then chased his dream of wanting to be a coach.
“My wife Suzanne and his wife became friendly when we were at the Kings, he was attack coach there.
“We have been good mates for a long time.”
Mooar is heading into his fourth season of Super Rugby with the Crusaders, who are chasing a third successive title in the competition.
“They are playing a good brand of rugby there and he has had a big influence on that,” added the Wales centre.
“That brand is similar to what we are trying to play at the moment here at the Scarlets. I am sure he will still want to play that attacking brand the Scarlets are known for, but will also come in with his own little touches and own changes that he would like to see happen.
“I think he will enjoy it, take it in his stride and he will bring something different to the club as well.
“He is a very smart individual. He came over for a wedding and met with our coaches before we played Bath in pre-season.
“He knows the game well, he will be good for the club.”
Mooar also received a glowing endorsement from the man he will take over from at Parc y Scarlets.
“He is coming out of the the best franchise in Super Rugby,” said Pivac. “They do a lot of good things there, clearly.
“They have a winning environment and he is working with All Blacks day-in day-out, players coming and going, very similar to what we have to deal with here with our Wales internationals.
“He ticks a lot of boxes for the club and I think he will do a very good job.
“Personality-wise he fill fit in really well and knowing the bunch that we have and knowing Brad, I think it is a very astute selection.
“The conversations he has had with our coaching group have been very good ones, he has a very similar thinking in terms of how we play the game - attack focused.
“He is a smart bloke, he will come in, won’t rush things and eventually put his stamp on it and do things the way he wants to operate. Everything so far is very positive.”
Asked if he had any advice to give to the new man, Pivac added: “I positioned myself locally in Llanelli and I have enjoyed that, you get a feel of what the region is about, what is important to the community and the role we play in that.
“Christchurch is very similar, they have a passionate rugby crowd down there so it won’t be anything unusual for Brad.
“There will be a good handover period. I am pretty sure Brad will be over here in a couple of weeks and he will meet everyone in the Super Rugby break.”