'Grizz' to coach old foe Marlborough

Alex Wyllie obviously holds no grudges against Marlborough.

The man who captained the Canterbury team who sensationally lost the Ranfurly Shield to Marlborough in 1973 has been appointed coach of the Red Devils.

Wyllie, one of the most successful All Black mentors, becomes the province's first fulltime coach.

Five candidates, including incumbent Kieran Keane and assistant John Phillips, went through an interviewing process last week.

The interview panel included former All Black coach Wayne Smith and former national selector Ross Cooper.

Ironically, Phillips also played for Canterbury and Keane played many of his 89 games for the red and blacks, and also turned out for the All Blacks six times in 1979.

Wyllie has successfully climbed just about every coaching mountain there is.

He guided Canterbury during their golden Ranfurly Shield era from 1982-86, when they won 76 of 92 games.

He coached the New Zealand Colts in 1987, and the same year assisted Brian Lochore and John Hart with New Zealand's only World Cup-winning team.

Wyllie took over as head coach of the national team in 1988 and went on to have more wins than any other All Black coach, including a record 24 test victories, just three losses and a draw.

In all matches under him the All Blacks won 58, lost five and drew one between 1988 and 1991 before he resigned after being beaten in the semifinals of the 1991 World Cup.

He also coached South African Currie Cup team Eastern Province and Argentina at the last World Cup in Britain and France.

Wyllie's initial contract with second-division Marlborough is for two years and included in his brief is helping to develop club coaches in the area.

He will live on his North Canterbury farm at Omihi and commute each week to watch club rugby until the next NPC season, when he will move to Blenheim.

His motivation for wanting to coach Marlborough stems from his love and concern for grassroots rugby.

Wyllie said yesterday that he could see when he came back to New Zealand with Argentina in 1997 that the rich were getting richer and the poor poorer.

"Grassroots rugby in New Zealand at second, third division and club levels is not getting looked after," he said.

"Everything is being pushed to the top. I was approached by a couple of people about the Marlborough job. I hadn't thought a hell of a lot about doing any coaching, but within myself I'm feeling a bit excited about the possibilities.

"I've had a long association with the province from way back when we used to come up and play pre-season matches with Glenmark, then Canterbury Country.

"Then the buggers pinched the Ranfurly Shield off us [Canterbury]."

Wyllie is prepared to bring in outsiders to boost the team in positions where they may lack depth, but he is also keen to use local players.

"A bit of loyalty to the shirt they wear is very important. To me that's what it's all about."

"I'll certainly want to talk to all the people concerned with Marlborough rugby first - get around and meet the senior coaches."

Marlborough Rugby Football Union chairman Mark Peters said he was thrilled with Wyllie's appointment.

"We were delighted to have his application and for him to offer his experience.

"He's got a tremendous amount to offer.

"It's pretty exciting. He's such a major name in world rugby - he's been there and done that."

Peters said Wyllie's appointment would be a huge boost for Marlborough's rugby profile and his sheer personality would be a major factor in promoting the game in the province.

He said Wyllie would be involved in more than just selecting and coaching the Marlborough team.

He will convene what Peters believes will be a three-man panel and have an assistant coach or coaches learning the trade under him, much like Wayne Graham and Greg Cooper did this year under Laurie Mains at Otago.

Since Wyllie finished coaching Argentina in 1999, he has coached the Clontarf club in Ireland.

After four winters abroad, he felt it time to come home for a summer.

- NZPA