Crusaders Backs Coach Andrew Goodman set to take up new role at Leinster
- 2247
Crusaders Backs Coach Andrew Goodman has confirmed he will move on from the club at the conclusion of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, to take up the role of Backs and Attack Coach with Irish club, Leinster.
Goodman, a former Tasman Mako representative and captain, spent time overseas in both Japan and Ireland, which included playing 17 games for Leinster between 2012-2014. On his return to New Zealand, he became head of the Nelson College rugby academy, before joining the Tasman coaching group in 2016. Alongside Clarke Dermody, Goodman was promoted to the joint Head Coach role in 2019, leading the Mako to back-to-back national provincial championships.
During the Crusaders' successful 2018 and 2019 Super Rugby seasons, the 39-year-old assisted with team defence and individual technical development. He was promoted to the role of Backs Coach for the Crusaders in 2020, and is committed to the Manu Samoa national side through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"I'm really grateful to Razor for giving me a chance back in 2018 and for all of the opportunities I've had to grow in this environment over the past five years," Goodman said.
"This club is like family and I've been fortunate to be able to do what I love alongside coaches and management who have also become great mates. I also have to thank the playing group, who have trusted and supported me, and contributed a lot to my development as a coach. It wasn't an easy decision to leave but I'm excited to be heading back to Dublin with my family and linking up with a club I represented as a player."
