Borderer Laidlaw is All Blacks 7s boss

CLARK Laidlaw has hailed his upbringing in the Borders area of Scotland as having had a major influence on his career after being appointed as the New Zealand Sevens head coach.

With his father Roy earning 47 caps for Scotland as well as playing for the Lions, it was perhaps not a surprise that Clark enjoyed rugby.

And in the Borders there is a lot of focus on Sevens from an early age, being used as a tool to help children develop the basic skills.

Laidlaw, a Jedburgh man, will take up his new high profile role next June.

“Growing up in the Borders you know all about Sevens from day one and the circuit there has always been big,” he said.

“I remember it was always my dream to play in some of those local tournaments and when I was making my way with Scotland on the world circuit a few years later I remembered those days as a teenager.

“By then I was trying to help Scotland against superpowers like Fiji and the All Blacks and because Sevens exposes your skills so much, especially playing against Waisale Serevi and others, it really helped me become a better player.”

Laidlaw has previously been the All Blacks Sevens skills coach and video analyst and the Hurricanes assistant coach. He is currently the assistant coach of London Irish.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to become head coach of the All Blacks Sevens team and I’m excited at the challenge that lies ahead,” he added.

“I am massively honoured.”