Following the results of the Super Rugby semi-finals of 2013 the Super Rugby Franchises are already starting to make their plans and get their structures in place for 2014.
Fresh news is that the Crusaders have extended coach Todd Blackadder’s contract till end of 2014, the Waratahs report that they have secured the services of Dave Dennis and Rob Horne and Kyle Godwin has cleanes up the awards for the year for the Western Force.
Crusaders keep Blackadder:
Head coach Todd Blackadder has re-signed with the Crusaders for another season while contract negotiations with assistant coaches Dave Hewett, Tabai Matson and Aaron Mauger are in the final stages.
Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said that the Crusaders Board are fully behind the coaching team.
“We are delighted to re-sign Todd for another season and to be in advanced conversations with all three assistant coaches. This year was the first year that we have had a coaching resource made up of four dedicated coaches.
“It has allowed the Crusaders a more specialised focus on our defence and attack play and we are pleased with the foundation the coaching staff have developed over the course of this season.
“Todd is a tremendous coach and inspirational leader and has the full backing of everyone at the Crusaders. We are delighted that he has re-signed to take us into another season,” says Riach.
Blackadder joined the Crusaders as head coach in 2009 and since then has taken the side into four semifinals and a Final.
A former All Black and Crusader, Blackadder had an illustrious career consisting of 25 All Blacks games including 14 as All Black captain.
As captain of the Crusaders he is the only Super Rugby captain to ever have lifted the Super Rugby trophy three times (1998, 1999 and 2000).
Prior to being head coach at the Crusaders, Blackadder held a number of coaching roles with Scotland and Tasman.
Blackadder said that he is excited about continuing his partnership with Crusaders coaching staff and the organisation.
“As a new coaching group we have learnt a lot this season and I am delighted that the Board have shown their faith in us and our ability.
“Within our management team we have some amazingly enthusiastic, positive and experienced people and it is a pleasure to be able to work with them.
“I am looking forward to continuing this partnership over the coming season to make this Crusaders team the best it can be.”
Waratahs retain Dennis & Horne:
Dave Dennis and Rob Horne have become the latest players to re-commit to the Waratahs.
The Wallaby pair on Sunday confirmed they have signed new deals that will see them stay in Australia, Dennis until the end of the 2015 season and Horne until the end of 2014.
First capped by NSW in 2008, Horne earned his 50th state cap against the Western Force at Allianz Stadium earlier this season and has now represented his state on 60 occasions.
“I have loved representing NSW, especially this year,” said Horne. “We put a lot into this season and I’m looking forward to the challenge of next year and what we hope will be a successful season in 2014.”
The centre took his Test cap tally to 15 when he ran on as a substitute against the British and Irish Lions during the second Test in Melbourne.
“Representing my country means a great deal to me so I’m really pleased to be staying in Australia, especially with so much to look forward to in the coming seasons.
“The opportunity to continually push myself and improve was in my decision, as was the chance to be a part of the continued strengthening of rugby in NSW, I am really exciting at what I think this group can achieve.”
The 2012 NSW Players’ Player of the Year, Dennis first represented his state in 2007 and has this year led the Waratahs through a transformational season.
Although unable to add his tally of 15 Test caps, all earned in his debut season, Dennis captained NSW in the historic match against the British and Irish Lions and the impressive back row forward says his hunger for further honours was the driving factor in his decision.
“I have really enjoyed my time with the Wallabies and I’m really keen to play as many more Tests as I can in the gold jersey, plus it’s really exciting to be around the Waratahs,” said Dennis, who has represented NSW on 63 occasions over seven years.
“There are obvious changes being made here [NSW] and I want to be around that, that’s the main reason I’m here.
“I still feel as if I can achieve more and I really want to keep working hard to try and get back in the Test fold and contribute to winning a first ever Super Rugby title here with the Waratahs.
“Everyone has really worked hard to change and create winning environment, the work ethic of all the boys and everyone in the organisation has really helped. I’ve been extremely proud every time I’ve run out with the boys.
“We’re really disappointed to miss out on the final this season but we’ve achieved a lot in terms of changing the culture and that’s something we can build on next season.”
The pair join fellow forwards Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota Nau and Benn Robinson, and backs Adam Ashley-Cooper and new signing Nick Phipps in committing to NSW and Australian Rugby for 2014.
Force is strong in Godwin:
Perth product Kyle Godwin cleaned up at the Western Force Awards Night at Crown Perth on Saturday.
Godwin was recognised for his stellar 2013 Super Rugby season by his teammates, his club and Western Force members, taking home the Nathan Sharpe Medal, Rising Star and Members’ Most Valuable Player awards.
Captain Matt Hodgson claimed the other gong on offer in being awarded his fourth Force Man Award in his eight seasons with the club.
Godwin, who progressed from schoolboys through the RugbyWA development pathway to the Western Force, has re-signed with the club until 2016.
The Force inside centre polled 209 votes to claim the inaugural Nathan Sharpe Medal as the Western Force’s Player of the Year.
The winner is determined by each member of the matchday 22 voting for their peers on a 3, 2, 1 voting basis.
The 20-year-old finished 50 votes ahead of runner-up Ben McCalman (159), with Godwin polling in the top five vote recipients in his final six matches of the season before missing the Force’s final round 21-15 win over the Brumbies due to shoulder surgery.
McCalman’s man of the match performance against the Brumbies earned him a season-high 51 votes to finish ahead of scrumhalf Alby Mathewson (154 points), who along with Chris Alcock was the only player to represent the Western Force in every match this season.
Despite only playing eight of the club’s 16 games this season, Hugh McMeniman’s contribution was conspicuous, polling 141 votes to finish fourth while Heath Tessmann finished fifth with 136 votes from his 13 games after joining the side as injury cover at the beginning of the season.
In his first full season of Super Rugby, Godwin was also recognised as the club’s Rising Star while Gold Member, Ciaran O’Shea, presented Godwin with the Members’ Most Valuable Player award.
Hodgson’s Force Man award was recognition as the player who exhibits the club’s ethos and values in every aspect of their performance on the rugby field and in the community.
The 97-cap player assumed the Force captaincy this season and was integral in driving the values and standards that contributed to the strength of character and culture within the playing group.
2013 Western Force Award Winners:
Nathan Sharpe Award: Kyle Godwin
Force Man: Matt Hodgson
Rising Star: Kyle Godwin
Members’ MVP: Kyle Godwin
2013 Nathan Sharpe Medal – Top 5
Kyle Godwin – 209 votes
Ben McCalman – 159 votes
Alby Mathewson – 154 votes
Hugh McMeniman – 141 votes
Heath Tessmann – 136 votes
Western Force Player of the Year – Honour Roll
2013 – Kyle Godwin
2012 – David Pocock
2011 – David Smith
2010 – Matt Hodgson
2009 – Matt Hodgson
2008 – Ryan Cross
2007 – Matt Giteau
2006 – Scott Staniforth