Crusaders’ Brad Mooar to replace Pivac at Scarlets

Super Rugby Champions Crusaders Assistant Coach Brad Mooar will replace Wayne Pivac as Scarlets Head Coach.

Scarlets have confirmed that Brad Mooar has been signed as the region’s new head coach for the 2019-20 season and beyond. 

The 44-year-old Mooar will join the West Wales region from the successful Super Rugby side Crusaders. 

 
Mooar will bring with him a wealth of coaching experience having been assistant coach at the Crusaders for the last three seasons, Head Coach at Mitre10 Cup side Southland Stags as well as attack and backs coach with South African sides Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings in the Super 15. Eastern Province Kings were unbeaten Currie Cup Division 1 Champions during Mooar’s tenure.

 
The experienced coach leads on team attack as well as strategy and tactics at the Crusaders. Away from the rugby field Mooar is a qualified solicitor and was admitted as barrister and solicitor to High Court of New Zealand in 1997. He has been hailed for his inspirational leadership and excellent management skills.

 
Commenting on the news Scarlets General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels said; “After a detailed and comprehensive search we are delighted to have secured an exceptional coach in Brad. As part of the recruitment process we have taken extensive references on all candidates and what came through loud and clear on Brad was that he is one of New Zealand’s best coaching prospects and destined for great things.

 
“We pride ourselves in appointing players and coaches that not only perform on the rugby field but also contribute to the ethos and environment of the club and our wider community. Brad’s rugby philosophy, leadership style and personality are everything we were looking for in a head coach. 

 
“Brad has been assistant coach with the Crusaders over the last three seasons helping the side to two consecutive Super Rugby titles. Brad has a great understanding of what is required for success and how to build a winning culture.

 
“Throughout the process we have been hugely impressed with Brad’s appreciation of Scarlets' place in the community, his passion for developing players and the research he had done on our heritage.

 
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Brad and his family to West Wales, we’re excited for the future but we still have everything to play for this season which will remain our primary focus.”

 
Brad Mooar added; “The opportunity to take on the role of Head Coach at the Scarlets is simply too good to pass up and is both an exciting challenge for myself, and a fantastic opportunity for my family to experience life on the other side of the world. 
 

“The Scarlets is a rugby brand that’s known the world over, it is a winning club with an extremely proud history, passionate fans, and is aspirational in its goals. It is humbling to be offered the opportunity to take the reins after the great work Wayne Pivac has led, as he moves on to the Wales job.
 

“In addition to Scarlets’ on-field rugby pedigree, with a strong squad of talented and largely homegrown players, the club represents its wider community with great pride and dedication. My family and I are looking forward to being a part of the wider Scarlets community integrating into life in West Wales.”
 

Mooar progressed through the Canterbury age grades as a flyhalf, reaching Canterbury B level.  He played for Mid-Canterbury from 1997-1999 and then played overseas before returning to Christchurch to take up coaching.
 

His first coaching role was with the Christchurch Colts and then the club's premier team from 2007 to 2011.  In 2011 he became the assistant coach of the Canterbury Colts. 

In 2012 he moved to South Africa to coach the EP Kings then become assistant coach of the Southern Kings Super Rugby side under Matt Sexton’s leadership.  He returned to New Zealand to take up the head coach and Director of Rugby role at Southland.