FORWARDS COACH EXTENDS HIS STAY TO END OF 2023

Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry has extended his tenure at the club for further two years.

Coventry is one of only a handful of coaches to have won multiple Super Rugby titles at different clubs, with success in winning last year’s Trans Tasman Trophy at the Blues and two Super Rugby crowns at the Chiefs.

He has been an integral part of the Blues coaching staff since joining from North Harbour in 2019 and his re-signing ensures further continuity within the coaching group. 

“We are thrilled to have Tom continue with the Blues. Together with our head coach Leon MacDonald, Dan Halangahu, Ben Afeaki and our Strength and Conditions coach Phil Healey, we have seen this group develop into an outstanding coaching unit,” said Blues CEO, Andrew Hore.

“The individuals have such different skillsets, but they have gelled together so well. They have great respect for eachother, but can also ask the tough questions. Tom knows what it takes to be successful and together with Ben, they have developed a formidable forward pack.”

Coventry’s rugby career began with the Waikato in 1988, where he played 51 games as a loose forward. He scored 14 tries including a hat-trick at Athletic Park against Wellington in 1992.

Coventry became a secondary school teacher at Cambridge High School upon hanging up his boots, before joining the Hawkes Bay NPC set-up, helping to create a team remembered for its period of Ranfurly shield dominance.

Coventry left the Magpies to join the Chiefs, going on to win back-to-back titles, along with Healey.
After spending a short stint in England with London Irish, Coventry returned to New Zealand as Head Coach of North Harbour, earning them promotion to the NPC Premiership for the first time.