Former All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar returns to Crusaders

Former All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar is returning to the Crusaders after signing on until 2026. Mooar was part of the coaching group from 2015 to 2019, which saw him play a part in the start of the Crusaders’ unprecedented Super Rugby dynasty.

With head coach Scott Robertson leading the charge, the Crusaders started their run of seven Super Rugby titles in as many years with a win over the Lions at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park in 2017. Those same sides met in the Super Rugby decider in Christchurch the following season.

Mooar was also part of the Crusaders’ set-up the year they beat a valiant Jaguares outfit in the 2019 decider. While the New Zealander ended up leaving the club, the Super Rugby giants kept winning trophies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the few years that followed.

Ian Foster brought Mooar into the All Blacks’ coaching group in 2020, but the assistant was let go alongside John Plumtree in 2022 after a disastrous 2-1 series defeat to Ireland on New Zealand soil. New Zealand still went on to make the Rugby World Cup Final in 2023.

Mooar joined Gregor Townsend’s coaching crew at Scotland before the sport’s showpiece event, before later signing on with Felipe Contemponi’s Argentina earlier this year. But the decision to return home to the Crusaders is one that excites Mooar.

“My family and I are really happy to be back in Christchurch, and I’m really excited to be at Rugby Park again. It feels like coming home,” Mooar said in a statement.

“It’s wonderful to be back in the mix with the players and staff, and I’m looking forward to connecting with the community again.”

The Crusaders will hope that Mooar’s experience in coaching groups at a Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations can help the team bounce back in 2025. It’s been well reported but the Christchurch-based side fell to an uncharacteristically poor record last season.

Following a slow start to the season, the Crusaders ended up claiming headline-grabbing wins over New Zealand rivals the Chiefs and Blues, but they still didn’t make finals. With a 4-10 record, the then defending champions finished in ninth spot.

 

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But Rob Penney is back for another season, and Matt Todd is a former All Black who brings a wealth of experience into the coaching crew himself. With Mooar joining the group, Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge is among those who are “really pleased” with this appointment.

“Brad has some awesome credentials. He is a quality coach and a quality human being,” coach Penney explained. “He has a proven success record and is going to offer the coaching group and the organisation a wealth of experience and knowledge.”

Assistant coach Matt Todd added: “It’s cool to be back working with some superb people that I’ve worked with previously, as well as building relationships with those that I hadn’t met before.”