News

Harbour coach calls it quits

September 24 2008

North Harbour rugby coach Wayne Pivac won't re-apply for the role next year, ending a forgettable tenure with the union.

Pivac has overseen a disappointing Air New Zealand Cup campaign in which Harbour have slipped to twelfth with two rounds remaining and are almost certain to miss out on the quarter-finals.

They finished ninth in Pivac's first season in charge last year.

The former Fiji coach has told management he won't return in 2009, prompting the North Harbour Rugby Union to begin the search for his replacement.

Chief executive Brett Hollister said the role was advertised on Wednesday in New Zealand and overseas, with candidates invited to apply before October 10.

"2008 has been a frustrating year for North Harbour," Hollister said.

"The Board and I are now focused on recruiting a coaching team for 2009 that will leverage the rugby talent in the North Harbour region and reward our loyal sponsors, fans and stakeholders."

Pivac coached Auckland from 1999 to 2003 and was named New Zealand rugby coach of the year in 2003.

He took the Harbour role in January last year, soon after resigning as Fiji coach, replacing three-term coach Alan Pollock, whose team had won the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury.

Under Pivac, Harbour lost the Shield with a record 7-52 loss to Waikato and he has often been hampered by injuries and player unavailability.

Harbour have the second-worst defensive record of any Air New Zealand Cup team this season, having conceded 114 points in their last three games.