The Highlanders have confirmed that they have appointed former All Blacks second-row Tom Donnelly as their forwards coach on a two-year contract from 2023.
Donnelly, who coached Otago’s NPC side in recent years, also represented the Highlanders in 65 matches between 2004 and 2011 and made 15 Test appearances for New Zealand in 2009 and 2010.
Lengthy association
The 41-year-old has a long association with Otago which began in 2002 at age of 21 and went on to play 82 matches for the Dunedin-based union before heading overseas in 2014 to ply his trade in France.
Donnelly came back to Otago in 2017 to take up an assistant coaching role under Cory Brown before taking over the reins as head coach in 2020.
He also served as an assistant coach with the New Zealand U20 in 2021 before becoming that side’s head coach this year and leading the team to an Oceania championship.
Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody has welcomed Donnelly’s appointment having observed his growing his coaching skills in recent years.
“Tom was always a keen student of the lineout art as a player, technically and tactically he is excellent in that area,” he told the Highlanders’ official website. “His experiences over the last few years with Otago and the NZ U20s has extended that knowledge base and I know Tom will grow our forwards.”
Donnelly is excited about taking up the challenge of coaching at Super Rugby level.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity that the Highlanders have given me to join their coaching staff,” he said. “I love representing this region and it’s a real privilege and honour to be involved with an organisation that means so much to me.
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“I’m looking forward to this new challenge at Super Rugby level and it’s a real positive that while coaching Otago I have been fortunate to have already worked with many of the Highlanders players and coaching staff.
“Now I just want to get stuck into the challenges that lie ahead and contribute to a successful 2023 Super Rugby campaign.”
Coaching staff completed
Dermody’s 2023 coaching staff is now complete, with Donnelly responsible for the lineout, kick-offs and general forward’s play, Dave Dillon will take charge of defence, Richard Whiffin handles attack and Riki Flutey will look after skills and the backs while Chris Boyd will be the coaching mentor.
“Good to have finalised the coaching team, who I know are all very eager to get on with the job come late November when the players arrive. I am delighted with the mix of skills, innovation and experience contained within the group and excited about the possibilities of 2023.” said Dermody.