Rugby: Job move clear from start

Mark Hammett. Photo / Christchurch Star

Mark Hammett knew he was doing the right thing going to the Hurricanes when he didn't feel an emotional tug at leaving the Crusaders.

The 37-year-old former All Black hooker is as red and black as they come. But he's also ambitious and according to those whose opinions are to be valued, Hammett is a coach of considerable technical mastery and growing tactical awareness.

He's also a decent bloke, a vital requirement in the modern game where player expectations are such they won't tolerate an environment where they don't have input, respect and understanding.

"Funnily enough I didn't have any feelings of do I or don't I [about applying for the Hurricanes job]," says Hammett. "It was then that I knew I was doing the right thing.

"It is pretty emotional when a player you know well comes up to you and tells you that you will be missed.

"But I want to develop my career as a coach and I want to expand my horizons."

Hammett has been appointed ahead of a host of emerging coaches that is thought to have included Hawke's Bay's Peter Russell, Wellington's Jamie Joseph and Canterbury's Rob Penney.

Conspirators will inevitably link an approach made to Hammett by the Melbourne Rebels last week to his successful application for the Hurricanes job.

The Melbourne franchise wanted Hammett but was blocked by the New Zealand Rugby Union as he still has a year of his contract to run.

Some might say the Hurricanes job was given to Hammett as a token of appeasement but such a view misses the point - if the Rebels thought Hammett was right, why wouldn't the Hurricanes?

The deal was sealed when Hammett and the Hurricanes board agreed existing support coaches Alama Ieremia and Jono Philips should be retained.

"That was a big factor for me," said Hammett. "It was critical to have them in place. The qualities and knowledge they bring will be critical and that was also the preference of the Hurricanes job [to keep them in place]."

Hammett will now put all thoughts and talk of the Hurricanes on hold until he takes over in June.

"I am 100 per cent committed to the Crusaders and seeing out this campaign with them."