Welsh club holds talks with in-demand Mooar
Brad Mooar’s link to an All Blacks assistant role under new coach Ian Foster has his Welsh club in urgent talks with their Kiwi mentor.
Mooar helped the Crusaders to three Super Rugby titles before heading north to Wales this year to take over at Scarlets on a two-yeardeal.
He’s proving hugely popular at the Welsh regional side where he has replaced fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac who has moved up to the Wales head coaching role, taking over from Warren Gatland.
‘‘The Scarlets are in discussions with Brad Mooar amid increasing speculation linking him to a role in the new All Blacks coaching team,’’ Walesonline reported yesterday as whispers suggest Mooar as one of five on Foster’s coaching team along with John Plumtree, Scott McLeod, Greg Feek and David Hill.
‘‘Neither the New Zealand Rugby Union nor the Scarlets have yet spoken publicly about the rumours.
‘‘But it is believed the west Wales region are in talks with Mooar as fears grow that he could be poised for a return to his homeland.’’
Foster hasn’t revealed his lineup of assistants as contracts are worked through.
The BBC were also reporting on the likely return to New Zealand by Mooar.
‘‘New Zealand would like Mooar in place for the two test series against Wales in July, which could see him leave Scarlets at the end of the season,’’ the BBC reported.
There’s more than a touch of irony in Foster targeting Mooar who helped build the success of Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, the man who Foster beat this week for the All Blacks job.
But Mooar clearly has a bit of X-factor to him.
Mooar, a 45-year-old former lawyer, has guided Scarlets to seven wins in his first 10 matches in charge.
Rugby Pass reported just last Monday that Mooar was ‘‘proving a big hit’’ with Scarlets fans and listed several reasons for his success with a club that has been in good form despite battling injury concerns and the late return of Welsh test players from their World Cup duties.
They said Mooar had the confidence of his entire squad and was growing that by bringing in the next tier of talent.
He was ‘‘balancing flair with pragmatism’’ and had encouraged his players to ‘‘play smart’’.
He was also doing plenty away from the field by engaging fans and had shown a respectful knowledge of the history of the club and Welsh rugby.
Mooar was previously head coach at Mitre10 Cup side Southland Stags as well as backs coach with South African sides Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings in the Super 15.