Mark Hammett leaving at the end of the season

[TRF Mr Fish]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/9925498/Mark-Hammett-won-t-stay-with-Hurricanes

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has announced today he will not seek reappointment beyond the current Super Rugby season.

After three turbulent years in charge, Hammett's fourth will be his last regardless of results.

Hammett said he had informed the franchise of his decision before the season begun and had decided to make it public now to allow the club to proceed with succession planning.

"This is a decision I have made after much discussion with my family. It has not been an easy decision, but we feel the time is right for me to step aside after this season," he said.

"For now, my sole focus is on the Hurricanes and continuing the job at hand. I'm really proud of the contribution I have made to this team and the players over the past three seasons, and I will continue to remain dedicated and focused on achieving what we've set out to do this year."

The exact reasons remain unclear, but there is no doubt Hammett's three years in Wellington have been stressful ones.

His tenure began in controversy when he axed popular Hurricanes stalwarts Ma'a Nonu and then-captain Andrew Hore sparking an exodus of talent including Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu and Hosea Gear.

A string of five losses at the end of last year ramped up the pressure and this season's early losses sparked an outpouring of public anger and vitriol against the Cantabrian.

The Hurricanes have turned things around in the past two weeks with wins over the Crusaders and Bulls, but the culmination of the past three years is sure to have already had an effect on Hammett and his young family.

Hurricanes' chief executive James Te Puni acknowledged Hammett's contribution to the club and said he was 100 per cent confident in the head coach's commitment to the team for the 2014 season.

"Mark has worked incredibly hard to create a strong and positive culture here at the Hurricanes.

"We are looking forward to the remainder of the season and will be in full support of Mark and the team as they focus on their performance."

Hurricanes chairman Brian Roche said a recruitment process, in conjunction with New Zealand Rugby, would begin in the near future.

"While we will need to explore our future coaching options soon, we remain fully supportive of Mark and the team in keeping our sights on the 2014 priority to continue to lift performance.

"Everyone wants the Hurricanes to deliver performances we can all be proud of, and that's where the focus lies."

During Hammett's time at the franchise, six Hurricanes have become All Blacks under his guidance, while 37 new players have pulled on the club's jersey.

New Zealand Rugby general manager professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, said he was saddened by Hammett's decision, but understood and respected it.

"Hammer has been a total professional throughout all his dealings and engagements whether it be with players, fans, sponsors, and the rugby community. He has added great value to the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby environments; he is a man of integrity and is a coach the players don't want to lose."

 

[Larksea]

will tana take the gap?

 

[nzlizard]

Dunno about his coaching credentials to be honest, he seems like a good coach who has the respect of the players and is well liked but I don't know if his results yell Super 15 coach.

Hasn't he resigned with Counties until 2016?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yep Tana has re-signed with Counties, which I think says a lot about his character. Good on him.

This means guys like Peter Russell come into the picture.

 

[Larksea]

I'm pretty sure that Tana's contract will have a clause that allows him to apply for super or All Black coaching positions if they come available, or something like that. There are only 5 head coaching jobs in NZ supr rugby and they dont come up that often. You can bet the sunday roast he will have some avenue to transition to super rugby when chances come up.

Given his history in wellington and the fact he has taken counties from an also ran side to one of the top teams in ~3 years he's have to be one of the first names passed around.

Coaches are also a channel for luring talent. A big part of the chiefs success has been the ability of Renee and Smith to lure big names and top U20 prospects. Tanas status and links with counties and other areas should give him player pull the hurricanes need. The region seems to bleed players rather than bring them in, that needs to change.

It obviously doesn't always work I mean look at the highlanders... Its still important for the canes though.

 

[nickdnz]

Well I didn't expect that.

I have pretty mixed feelings on this. Hammett has done some good things for all the flack he has gotten. He's done some bad things as well. I guess it can be argued that either way he's probably not going to be the man to the Canes to win SR. The fact of the matter is Dave Renee should have been given the Canes' job 1000x over. Coaches like Joe Schmidt, Vern Cotter and Rob Penny should have been given the chance as well - and I'd hope someone like Rob Penny could be lured back.

I love Tana Umaga. One of my favourite players of all time. And he's a good coach from what we've seen with Counties. But is he ready to be the coach of the Hurricanes? You know he'd be loved by Wellingtonians - but will we be better off with him? Out of the non proven coaches I'd like him in most - but it would be nice if we could get an established coach who has proven he can win championships.

 

[nzlizard]

NZ rugby needs to review its fast tracking of coaches, they say it is to retain talent, but the coaches offer very little if they have not had prolonged exposure to many environments in many roles at a few different clubs.

The new guy is not normally the CEO /CIO / COO at any organization inside a couple of years, and rugby coaching is a business that should follow the same methodology, learn from the old heads who are successful over time.

 

[nickdnz]

Heard a mention of Robbie Deans...


I wouldn't say no.

 

[Draggs]

Hammett off to Cardiff Blues I hear.

 

[nzlizard]

Heard a mention of Robbie Deans...


I wouldn't say no.

He is a great super coach, and if he could put some structure into the Canes defense and not stifle the attack he would be a good option.

The only thing I don't like about that is I kinda feel super rugby coaching should first be looking for NZ ITM cup coaches, if we want to develop and retain talent we need to look at internal promotion of staff.

 

[ABs2011]

I feel for Hammett. I don't think he really had a fair crack given the inept management of the Canes franchise. He seems like a good guy, he came in, tried to clean up the trash, install some culture back into the team, but at the end of the day it was very tough to overcome the crap going on back office and in particular how short they always were on quality players. I wish him luck with his coaching gig overseas, I have no doubt he will go well if he finds the right fit!

 

[William18]

I feel for Hammett. I don't think he really had a fair crack given the inept management of the Canes franchise. He seems like a good guy, he came in, tried to clean up the trash, install some culture back into the team, but at the end of the day it was very tough to overcome the crap going on back office and in particular how short they always were on quality players. I wish him luck with his coaching gig overseas, I have no doubt he will go well if he finds the right fit!

How are we short on quality players? We have 10 current or past All Blacks and then guys like Shields, Lam, A. Savea and Leiua. The reason we lack depth is because Hammett recruited poorly. This has nothing to do with the "back office" and all to do with an inexperienced coach being accelerated before he was ready.

 

[nzlizard]

So long as they don't give that ****head John Mitchell the job

 

[nickdnz]

He is a great super coach, and if he could put some structure into the Canes defense and not stifle the attack he would be a good option.

The only thing I don't like about that is I kinda feel super rugby coaching should first be looking for NZ ITM cup coaches, if we want to develop and retain talent we need to look at internal promotion of staff.

I would agree with that - however the most successful ITM Cup coach in recent years has been Rob Penny - whose now coaching Munster. Scott Robinson has taken over and done a pretty good job, but he's inherited a great team.

 

[TRF_heineken]

So long as they don't give that ****head John Mitchell the job

I don't think you have to worry about him, he loves South Africa and has a coaching job at the moment.

What about John Plumtree?

 

[Icemn]

Robbie Deans or Wayne Smith... i think i just came in my pants...

 

[Jaguares]

This was what Canes supporters wanted, right? Congrats!!!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

So that will mean Nonu wanting to return to the Hurricanes now Hammett is going.

 

[nickdnz]

So that will mean Nonu wanting to return to the Hurricanes now Hammett is going.

He wanting to come back to the Canes' this season..

I'm not so sure the Hurricanes would take him regardless, he's not exactly lucky.

 

[Jaguares]

will tana take the gap?

Someone said Tana???

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