News / Notices

ITM Cup Week One Review 

Simon Culhane appointed Highlanders assistant

Southland's Simon Culhane has been appointed Jamie Joseph's assistant coach at the Highlanders.

Culhane, a former All Black, takes up his position with the Highlanders immediately but will continue to co-coach the Southland Stags with David Henderson through to the end of the 2011 ITM Cup season.

Culhane joins fellow former Joseph who was last month announced as the new coach for the struggling Dunedin-based Super rugby franchise.

Joseph has been transitioning from his position as coach of the Wellington Lions and moves to his new position after this weekend's ITM Cup clash against Otago.

 NZRU professional rugby manager Neil Sorensen welcomed Culhane's appointment.

"Simon is a great fit for the Highlanders and will bring a unique set of leadership and coaching skills to the team."

Highlanders chairman Ross Laidlaw said it was ideal to be able to tap into coaching skills from within the franchise's provincial union circle.

"Simon is a strong addition to the Highlanders fold and we are excited about the combination of skills he will bring.  Both Simon and Jamie have been at the helm of Ranfurly Shield winning teams and both have strong affiliations to the South.  The Highlanders will be a formidable force in 2011," he said.

The new Highlanders assistant coach is looking forward to the challenge.

"Southland is a proud provincial union partner of the Highlanders franchise, so this is a natural progression for me.  I'm looking forward to the challenge of stepping up to this role.

"It has been important to me to continue my commitment to Southland's ITM Cup campaigns in 2010 and 2011, as well as our determination to keep the Ranfurly Shield," he added.

Culhane has been co-coach of the Southland Stags since 2005.  He played for Southland when he was picked for the All Blacks in 1995.  He had nine caps in his All Black career including six tests.

Maroon platoon, MAROON PLATOON....... Become a part of the Maroon Platoon!

C'mon Southland let's make July 9^th and every Friday throughout the Stags season MAROON FRIDAY.  Don your maroon gears and show your support for the boys - and be an integral part of the Maroon Platoon!

It could be as simple as every girl wearing a maroon ribbon in their hair, every shop hanging maroon crepe paper in their retail window or a everyone wearing a maroon tie to work..... right through to the fanatical who choose to wear maroon from head to toe!

Let's join together and have every school, business, tertiary education provider, retirement home, retail shop..... every sector of the community supporting the Stags by wearing maroon from Friday the 9^th of July and every Friday onwards throughout the ITM Cup!