Cotter takes over as coach for Steamers

12.15 pm

Te Puke farmer Vern Cotter will coach the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the national first division rugby competition next season.

Cotter, 39, was today confirmed as replacement for Gordon Tietjens, who resigned three weeks ago after a seven-year reign as coach.

Tietjens, also national sevens coach, quit after the Steamers beat second division champions Hawke's Bay in a promotion-relegation playoff.

Cotter has coached the Bay of Plenty development side for two seasons after returning from a 10-year stint playing and coaching in France, mainly in the southwest with Lourdes.

The former Counties and Bay of Plenty No 8 said today he was nervous heading into last Thursday's interview after two previous bids were unsuccessful.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union board was joined by New Zealand Rugby Football Union general manager Steve Tew, interviewing four candidates from the 15 who applied.

"I was reasonably confident of succeeding this time around but, having been through two interviews already, there was uncertainty there and a certain amount of apprehension," Cotter said.

"It was nice to get the nod -- it's a real vote of confidence after two years doing my apprenticeship.

"I'd always aimed to become NPC coach after returning from France."

Cotter has yet to appoint an assistant, but has approached former Steamers halfback Milton Haig, his deputy with the development 15.

The Te Puke beef and sheep farmer said he was more excited than nervous about stepping into professional rugby.

"I'm buoyant about what's ahead for Bay of Plenty. There's a huge amount of natural talent in the region. That talent is becoming harnessed more and more and the gap between the first and second divisions seems to have grown.

"All that should be hugely exciting for the players and Bay of Plenty supporters."

Bopru chief executive Jon Brady said Cotter's season with the development team impressed the interview panel.

Bay of Plenty B fashioned a six loss-four win record but developed momentum late in the season.

"Everything starts again from here. We'll be sitting down over the next few weeks identifying an extended pool of players to work with (high performance manager) Keith Roberts over the summer.

"We need to work on what we require in Bay of Plenty, with the most obvious a deficiency in tight forwards and a lack of size and pace out wide.

"I wouldn't think we'd transfer in more than two players (the transfer period ends on Friday) to strengthen those positions.

"We're better to develop players to their maximum within the union, rather than spend enormous amounts trying to get ahead in what is already a competitive player market."

Cotter would use the loan market and would also look overseas as a last resort.

He identified a lack of physical presence as the biggest barrier to Bay of Plenty achieving in division one.

Players selected for off-season training had to work hard to bridge the gap with Super 12 unions.

"We need to get our guys comparable on a physical level so we can stay in touch with the professional squads. We have to compete more on even terms, securing bonus points rather than getting beaten by 30 points."

Cotter will name his summer training squad next month.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES