Rugby: New Magpies forward coach Josh Syms eyes return to top flight

Josh Syms has stepped up from a technical adviser's role to be the forward coach with the Hawke's Bay Magpies. Photo / Supplied

New Hawke's Bay Magpies forwards coach Josh Syms is adamant the side boasts the necessary talent to return to the Premiership.

"We've got some exceptional players like Gareth Evans, Ash Dixon, Michael Allardice and Tony Lamborn. Our job is to provide an environment for these guys to achieve in," Syms said after his two-season Mitre 10 Cup contract was announced yesterday.

"We've also got to try to improve the depth of players across the board to get some competition for berths. Part of that process is keeping the province's good young players in the Bay ... we've got to create a positive environment which will encourage young players like Tim Farrell, Hugh Renton, Will Tremain, Tiaan Falcon, Danny Toala, Lincoln McClutchie and Folau Fakatava to stay here."

A 37-year-old father of four who coached Wairarapa Bush to semifinal finishes in the Heartland Championship during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Syms is no stranger to working with the Magpies forwards as he was their technical adviser during their final four games last year.

"We don't need to change the wheel with the forwards. It's just a case of profiling what has been done well so we can do it better. We don't want to go away from what works ... the Hawke's Bay forwards have always been feared for their rolling mauls and physicality at the combat area. I know from playing against them," the former Manawatu hooker said.

"We know we've got a group of top players. But you only have to be 5 per cent off your game for it to make a big difference."

Syms, who starts his new role next Wednesday, stressed the importance of creating a succession plan.

"We want our players to understand where they are at. When players get an opportunity they need to be ready and able to contribute ... that's a big challenge."

With Wellington back in the Premiership Syms believed this season's Championship will be an even one.

"Like us, Waikato will be aiming to return to the Premiership. We've got 10 games to put us in the best position to win the two knockout games at the end of the season."

Palmerston North High School product Syms also has plenty of experience working with Magpies head coach Mark Ozich. They had two seasons coaching the Kelston Boys' High School 1st XV together, they also coached the Southland Boys' High School 1st XV, the Southland ITM Cup squad in 2013 and the national top four winning-Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV last year with Tafai Ioasa.

After his first stint with Ozich at Kelston Boys' High School Syms coached Thailand's national team before returning to New Zealand to coach the St Kentigerns College 1st XV in Auckland for four years. They won the Auckland competition for three years, the national co-ed title on two occasions and the national top four title on one occasion.

"A Bryn Gatland dropped goal stopped us from completing a 60-game unbeaten streak," he said referring to the former Hamilton Boys' High School first five-eighth who now plays for the Blues and North Harbour.

In 2014 Syms coached Hutt Old Boys Marist who won the Wellington club championship. Last year he was director of rugby at the club and a season after they won the second division title in the capital Hutt Old Boys Marist reached the premier division final.

"We had a strong list of applicants and Josh was the standout. His record of achievement with the teams he has coached speaks for itself and we believe he is more than ready to take the step to coaching at Mitre 1O Cup level," HBRFU chairman Brendan Mahony said.

Syms said: "I'm hugely excited by the opportunity to work with the Magpies. It has been a goal of mine for several years to coach rugby at a professional level and I'm really looking forward to working alongside Mark, whose coaching philosophy I am very familiar with, a really experienced management group and a Magpies squad that has a good blend of experience, promise and talent. I firmly believe that the Magpies can have strong success over the next few seasons and I'm excited to be part of it."

Syms is a son of former long-serving Auckland hooker Dave Syms who played for the 1977 New Zealand Universities side which beat the Lions before going on to coach Auckland Grammar and Auckland rep teams with the likes of Graham Henry and Maurice Trapp.

"I remember watching Dad coaching and saying I would enjoy doing something like that," Syms recalled yesterday.

Syms, who enjoys fly fishing in his spare time, is impressed with the affinity Magpies fans have with the team.

"It's no secret Magpies fans are some of the best in the country. It's our job to give them a product to be proud of."