Taranaki are looking for a new Air NZ Cup rugby coach after Adrian Kennedy quit yesterday, saying the province is too parochial and closed to new ideas.
His resignation was made public yesterday after the Taranaki Rugby Football Union released a brief statement thanking Kennedy for his two years in charge.
The first outsider to coach the province, Kennedy leaves the job after Taranaki finished eighth in both his years in charge, his winning record below 50 per cent.
His tenure was also plagued by poor off-field behaviour from the players. Five players were this season stood down after an all-night public drinking binge.
"It's a very parochial place. That's not being derogatory, but it's very parochial, a little bit closed really to new ideas and ways of thinking. It was difficult to start off with," Kennedy told the Taranaki Daily News.
"I've just decided I want to move forward and two years at Taranaki is enough," he said after flying to Christchurch yesterday.
Kennedy said he had sat down with rugby union boss Mark Robinson on Monday and told him of his intention to quit.
His three-year contract allowed him or the union to terminate his position after two years. The decision came part way through the side's annual performance review.
Kennedy has had 11 years coaching in New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and England.
- NZPA
Rugby: Taranaki coach quits
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