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Harlequins' new head coach revealed on New Zealand television
Harlequins, fresh from their triumph in the Gallagher Premiership Final, have a new head coach in former Bath top dog Tabai Matson.
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The news was revealed on the Sky NZ’s The Breakdown show over the weekend, although rumours had been circulating around his appointment for some time.
https://twitter.com/JimKayes/status/1409434259559895040
Matson has an impressive rugby resumé kicking off at senior level with Canterbury at a provincial level followed by the Crusaders in Super Rugby. He earned an All Blacks jersey in 1995/96 and then went on to play two matches for Fiji at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Matson left his position as Head Coach of Bath to return to New Zealand due to family reasons in 2017.
Quins beat the holders Exeter 40-38 on Saturday in a Twickenham final full of superb tries and unrelenting drama. Only 10,000 fans were allowed into the 82,000-capacity stadium across the road from Quins’ home ground but it sounded like a full house as they generated a wonderful atmosphere, energised by the total commitment to high-octane attack from both sides.
The only previous time that Harlequins reached the Premiership Final was as No 1 seeds in 2012 when they beat Leicester at Twickenham to take the spoils. Quins only defeat in their last seven appearances at Twickenham in all competitions was 29-39 to London Irish in the London Double Header in 2017.
Exeter won both encounters with Harlequins in the regular season, winning 33-3 at the Stoop in November and by a single point in a thriller at Sandy Park in March.
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It was a massive turnaround in Harlequins’ fortune after former Director of Rugby Paul Gustard was given his marching orders earlier in the season after a string of losses and rumours of tension between the former flanker and members of Quins senior playing squad.
Billy Millard took over as General Manager of Rugby of the club and helped lead them to their first Premiership title in nine years. The West London club are yet to confirm the signing of Matson.
– additional reporting AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments