New Zealander Matt Sexton will coach the Southern Kings in their debut season in Super Rugby next year.
Sport24
According to the Metro newspaper’s website, Sexton will be taking up the position of Head Coach for both the Super Rugby and Currie Cup divisions of the Kings as of July this year.
He will take over the reins from current EP Kings Head Coach, Alan Solomons, who will become the Kings’ Director of Rugby.
EP Kings spokesperson, Sakhi Gqeba, confirmed that Sexton signed a two year contract, which relieves former Springbok prop Robbie Kempson of his dual coaching role, allowing Kempson to concentrate on the EP Academy.
Sexton, 41, will be joined by another Kiwi, Brad Mooar, who will take up the position of Specialist Skills Coach. Mooar is currently the head coach of the Canterbury U19’s.
Former Border wing David Maidza will be Sexton’s assistant, with former Springbok centre De Wet Barry remaining in his position as defence specialist.
Sexton played 128 games for Canterbury. He also played in Europe with leading Irish province Ulster, where he was coached by Solomons.
He is currently the Rugby Academy Manager of the Tasman provincial team in New Zealand.
Solomons said the union is happy with its decision.
“Matt is head and shoulders the right guy for Eastern Province rugby. He is a good man and has the capability to land up coaching New Zealand.
“I personally vouch for Matt Sexton as he possesses the exact character traits that we are looking for in EP Rugby – Integrity, Altruism and Professionalism,” Solomons told MyPE.co.za – a community news website in Port Elizabeth.
Seems like if coaches and assistants are appointed already that their real expectation is indeed a Super Rugby spot for 2013.
Hang on… So it’s a done deal? The Kings will play next year at the expense of the wooden spoon in the SA Conference? If so, I fear the wooden spoon will be proudly defended by the Lions this year and considering the current financial turmoil they’re in I don’t see a future for them when/if relegated.
2 @ IndestructiBULL:
Certainly looks like the Southern Kings are taking the promise to them to play Super Rugby seriously.
Where they will get the player ranks to do justice to Super Rugby participation is a mystery to me… they’ll just end up being a team full of mercenaries from the ranks of SA’s player stock overseas and local stragglers. So much for development of Southern and Eastern Cape talent and bringing them through.
They will be moerred left and right… and centre!
@ grootblousmile: Definitely! The Queens (ag I meant the Kings) can’t even win the current tournament their playing in, never mind winning one game in the Super 15.
The thing is, if the Lions gets booted from the comp then there is no future for the union as paying back their (reportedly) huge amount of debt will be near impossible. Sponsors will back out and then expect a mass exodus of players. I wouldn’t be surprised if these players sign with the Queens (ag I meant the Kings).
Reviving EP Rugby at the expense of a once great union.
4 @ IndestructiBULL:
Lots of the Lions contracted players contracted till after next year…
… but you are right, it’ll kill the Lions off.. one time!
This is really turning into the Alan Solomons show. If you cleaned his boots in the army, you’re in with a management chance at the Kings!
Another kiwi coach? Wow! we will have three of them next year.
Saru messed up by not waiting to bring them in after 2015.
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