French feel to Bay campaign

By WYNNE GRAY

Vern Cotter left provincial rugby in New Zealand because he wanted to work fulltime in his chosen sport.

The loose forward who had worn the Counties and Bay of Plenty colours in the 80s traded in those jerseys for time with Italian and French clubs. He also changed his playing certificate for two coaching diplomas with the French Rugby Federation as he taught the Lourdes and Dunkirk clubs.

Three years ago it was welcome back Cotter as he settled on the family drystock farm near Te Puke.

"My aim and objective was to coach Bay of Plenty," he said.

But the 40-year-old Cotter had to wait.

The division two side were being run by national sevens coach Gordon Tietjens and for two years Cotter trained the development team until, like the Bay, he was promoted.

He picked the management group and identified 55 players he thought could be part of their NPC campaign this season.

They gathered last December, were given fitness programmes and were regularly tested, and every few weeks they got together to talk and train for the NPC.

Some of Cotter's cronies came to help. Andy Haden sussed out the lineouts, John Drake had some advice about scrummaging, Brett Wilson weighed in with some assistance. Kevin Greene, Ross Nesdale and Daryl Halligan made the trip to Rotorua to take some sessions. Others such as NZ Maori coach Matt Te Pou and Buck Anderson helped out.

Cotter learned his coaching trade in a decade-long stint with French clubs where the emphasis was on setpiece technique, where they wanted to use some flair but only after the basics were set in very deep concrete.

Cementing setpiece efficiency has been one of Cotter's tasks as he and the Bay look to stay in division one.

"We had to shore up our set plays, we had to get a physical density we did not have before. No scrum, no win is a very old but correct expression," said Cotter.

"We were going to leave our defence until next year but maybe we will have to change that too."

The Bay have held well in the tight and run in some great tries in their bonus points charge but they have leaked in defence, something which will be tested tomorrow when they play Auckland at Eden Park.

In Tietjens' seven-year stretch, the Bay lacked some forward heat. Cotter brings his French experience to help redress that area.

While there has been a general integration in the Bay since the ructions of four years ago when the New Zealand Rugby Union had to move in, the region is still suffering.

The side has no sponsor and players are still targeted by the major unions.

Chief executive Jon Brady said remaining in division one was a priority. The scheme to develop local players could then continue, the under-age academy would have an even better purpose, players would understand they could make the Super 12 from the Bay.

"We are seeing progress, there is a Baywide club competition and not the scrapping there was between Tauranga and Rotorua. We are providing resources and the environment for success," he said.

The Bay have started the NPC positively.

Seasoned captain Mark Weedon, who returned as a rugby development officer, has stayed to play for another year. Young players have been given their chance.

"Vern has made a huge difference. He is very forthright, he has given us structure and a platform in the forwards. He has the technical ability, ideas and changed us around," said Weedon.

"We were not competitive enough last year but that is altering."