The Manawatū Rugby Union are pleased to announce that we have appointed two Assistant Coaches for the Bunnings NPC season. Backs & Attacks Coach – Tai Lavea and Forwards & Collision Coach – Hayden Triggs.

We asked Turbos Head Coach, Mike Rogers for his comments on the two new appointments:

“Tai has extensive experience at NPC level with two years as Assistant Coach with Auckland and two years as Head Coach at Counties before heading to Japan with Kobelco Steelers. Tai is a relationship based coach, he forms strong bonds with players and has a proven experience of coaching players to go on to be Super Rugby players and All Blacks. It is a real coup for the Manawatū union to attract a coach of Tai’s experience and ability to the region.”

“Hayden is a man of real conviction and character. What came across strongly in the appointment process was Hayden's passion for the Manawatū region and his conviction around what is important from a forwards and collision perspective. Hayden is a proud Manawatū man having represented the Turbos along with having coached local club and representative rugby. It has been really important to me to ensure that our coaching group has a strong local flavour and I am excited to work with Hayden this season.”

Both Assistant Coaches will be hitting the ground running prior to the Turbos team/players assembling in July.

Forwards & Collision Coach - Hayden Triggs expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the campaign, going on to explain “I am confident my connection to the jersey and more recently the players, will supplement my skills and passion for the development of hardworking and determined forwards that my role covers. My intention is to build a technically sound and driven pack to play Turbos rugby. I also want to do everything I can to assist Mike and the other staff, foster a program that attracts athletes in the Manawatū to strive to be a part of in their rugby journey.”

Backs & Attacks Coach – Tai Lavea is excited to return to NZ soil after his stint in Japan and get to work with The Turbos “I was very aligned with Mike Rogers as we went through the interview process, that for me was fundamentally my key big rock. I am grateful and really looking forward to the opportunity to working with new staff and players, this brings new connections and exciting new challenges.”

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome newly appointed Turbos Team Manager, Duncan Cameron. Duncan has managed the team a few years ago and we welcome back his wealth of knowledge in this area.

Congratulations to our two new Assistant Coaches and new Team Manager! We look forward to having you on board!

Welcome to the MRU whānau!