Rugby: Cooper reappointed by Maori All Blacks

Colin Cooper has been retain as the Maori All Blacks head coach. Photo / Getty

Colin Cooper will have at least 12 more months with the Maori All Blacks.

Taranaki coach Cooper (Ngati Pukenga) has been reappointed head coach of the Maori All Blacks until the end of the Lions tour next year, New Zealand Rugby announced today.

Cooper, who was first appointed in 2013, will oversee the team's northern tour to Chicago, Ireland and England in November, and through the British and Irish Lions tour in 2017.

New Zealand Rugby Maori board chairman Wayne Peters welcomed Cooper's reappointment as a strong endorsement of the excellent work he had achieved in developing players from inside the Maori All Blacks team environment.

"This is an incredibly special team, and we are proud of what they represent. Colin has been a key part of the team's success on and off the field. His professional and personal ability to develop great young talent is obvious, and we are delighted that he wants to continue that work," Peters said.

Cooper said continuing his involvement with the Maori All Blacks for this year's tour and next year's historic British and Irish Lions Series, made the job too attractive to pass up.
"I was very motivated to remain part of this team, and it was a major driver for me to stay for 2016 and 2017.

"Having the Maori All Blacks as a key part of the high performance pathway to other honours has been a great motivator for players too. It's great to see what players have achieved particularly, the likes of Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Charlie Ngatai, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber and Joe Moody. Seeing them named as All Blacks is a great recognition of what the Maori All Blacks bring.

"Maori rugby is already so rich in history, and is an important part of New Zealand Rugby history. But I also think the Maori All Blacks team is really finding its place in the high performance arena as we have seen from the selection of players into the All Blacks."

Cooper has already been eyeing up potential talent for the squad to tour later this year.

"There are some great young players out there and a number of Super Rugby players have already put their hand up for selection, so I'm looking forward to seeing that group come together later this year," he said.

The Maori All Blacks squad will be announced after the All Blacks name their Rugby Championship squad.

In the meantime, Cooper is working with New Zealand Rugby on appointing the remainder of the Maori All Blacks management team.

The Maori All Blacks will be seeking a more successful return than was the case in their two matches in 2015, a one-point win over Fiji and a mediocre 34-17 loss to the New Zealand Barbarians.

Maori All Blacks 2016 match schedule (kickoff times TBC)
Friday November 4: v USA Eagles, Toyota Park, Chicago
Friday November 11: v Munster, Thomond Park, Limerick
Wednesday November 16: v Harlequins, Twickenham Stoop, London