Former All Black Jeff Wilson is leaving Otago to further his coaching career. Photo / Getty Images
Jeff Wilson is the latest to leave Otago rugby.
The former All Black, aspiring to coach at the highest level, is to quit as director of rugby with the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) for a job in Wellington.
"I intend to do more coaching with the international
rugby academy in Wellington and to sit for the necessary New Zealand Rugby Union coaching certificates with the ultimate aim of coaching to the highest level I can reach," he said.
"None of that would have been possible while fully employed in Dunedin."
He had been on his Otago job for about 18 months.
Pending parenthood has also figured in Wilson's decision.
His wife Adine, the Silver Ferns netball captain, revealed she was three months pregnant after the world netball championship in Auckland this month.
"Adine and I will move back to our farm south of Christchurch and it will give us time together as a family," Wilson said.
"As I said when I retired from playing and moved to Canterbury, I will always regard myself as an Otago rugby man."
ORFU chief executive Richard Reid said he fully understood and supported Wilson's aspirations.
There were no plans to appoint a replacement director of rugby, Reid said.
Reid recently replaced Russell Grey, who resigned after a number of players, including All Blacks Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver, announced they would move overseas after the World Cup.
Highlanders coach Greg Cooper also left to be an assistant coach at the Blues.
- NZPA
