Highlanders coach Cooper back for three years

Greg Cooper

Highlanders coach Greg Cooper has signed a three-year contract to remain coach of the Highlanders Super 14 franchise.

Cooper, 40, has been coach of the Highlanders for the past two seasons of the Super 12 and will remain in the position for the first three seasons of the expanded Super 14 competition.

The former All Blacks fullback was Highlanders assistant coach in 2002 and 2003 and has previously been the head coach, assistant and co-coach of the Otago NPC first division side.

"It is a privilege to be again involved with the Highlanders and I look forward to building on the progress made over the past two years," Cooper said in a New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) media release.

"There is much to do but I am excited about the challenge."

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew welcomed the news.

"We are delighted to have retained the coaching services of Greg. He is a well-qualified coach and has made good progress with the Highlanders," Tew said.

"We are very pleased with the standard of coaches we now have at the top level in New Zealand and Greg is part of that group."

Tew said applications for the Highlanders assistant coach position had closed.

- NZPA