Mourie resigns as coach of Hurricanes

Graham Mourie has resigned as coach of the Hurricanes after another disappointing season in rugby's Super 12.

Mourie had a year left on his contract, but it is understood his position as coach was in jeopardy after the Hurricanes finished ninth this season.

It continued a poor trend of results, with the same finish last year and eighth place in 2000, Mourie's first year in charge.

Announcing his resignation, Hurricanes said Mourie indicated that at the beginning of the 2002 season he established some goals for himself and the team and that the minimum acceptable level of performance was a top six finish. Having not achieved that he had decided to stand aside.

"It is hoped that the position will be readvertised next week and that an appointment will be made as soon as possible to allow the head coach to view this year's Air New Zealand NPC," Hurricanes chief executive Malcolm Holmes said.

"It is important that we have someone in place quickly so they can view players in the region well ahead of the Telecom Super 12 selection period in November."

He said Mourie had done a lot of work in the region to foster young talent with a number of his charges going on to win national honours. "He has also been an invaluable assistant to other coaches in the region," Mr Holmes said.

As a result of the decision, the assistant coach position would also be readvertised, he said.