Rugby: New coaches confident of success

Bay of Plenty's David Fraser challenges for the ball against Auckland at the BOP Sevens in January.

Bay of Plenty Rugby has appointed Peter Woods as head coach and Matua Parkinson as his assistant for the Bay of Plenty men's Sevens team.

Woods and Parkinson are former All Blacks Sevens players. Woods coached the BOP Sevens team in 2001 and 2008-2011, while Parkinson is the coach of the Rangataua sevens who are the NZ Club Sevens champions.

Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive, Mike Rogers, says they are very pleased with the appointments.

"We had very strong quality applicants. It was great to have Sir Gordon Tietjens be part of the selection process. Peter and Matua have a proven record of success and we are confident this will translate to a successful Bay of Plenty men's sevens programme."

Woods is looking forward to taking the Bay through to their first national title.

"I have been in the Bay coaching position for four years, during which we made it to a provincial final, a semi and a quarter-final, so I've got a good understanding of how we need to compete and an understanding of the game," he said.

"I'll be trying to teach these young players the ins and outs of what you need to do to win a tournament. Anything can happen on the day but if you pick the right squad and have the right structure, hopefully you'll get the bounce of the ball and it'll go your way."

Tournament dates

Mount Maunganui: October 18.
Greerton: November 1.
Baywide Club Sevens: November 15, Paengaroa.