Walsh to coach South Canty

NORTH Otago will start its hunt for a new coach in the new year.

The Heartland Championship union will have to find one following Nigel Walsh’s decision to coach South Canterbury next year.

Walsh, a former South Canterbury prop who lives in Timaru, will take over the green and blacks from Barry Matthews, who has stood down after four years in charge.

North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson said the union would advertise the position in the new year and he was confident he would get many good candidates.

‘‘There are plenty of good coaches around and plenty of good local coaches. There will be no shortage of candidates, I would imagine,’’ he said.

Jackson said it was a good move for Walsh as he lived in Timaru and he had given good service to North Otago.

There was plenty of time to get a coach for next year with the Heartland Championships not set to start until August.

Walsh (49) coached North Otago for two years, the side side making it to the Lochore Cup semifinals both times.

He played more then 70 games in the front row for South Canterbury before a neck injury ended his career in the late 1990s.

Walsh had Jason Forrest as his assistant and he may be seen as the man to take the side over.