Greg Smith has been appointed as the Waikato Air New Zealand Cup squad’s Set Piece coach.
Smith, a former Waikato and Chiefs player, and with coaching experience at representative, club and international levels, will start his new role from July this year.
Smith will work alongside Waikato coach Chris Gibbes and assistant coach Scott McLeod in the role as Set Piece Coach - focusing on scrums, line-outs and restarts.
Waikato Rugby Union Chief Executive Graham Bowen said: "Smith’s skills and experience will compliment our current coaching staff. We are pleased to give Smith the opportunity to showcase his coaching skills in the set piece area."
Waikato coach Chris Gibbes said: "We’re excited with Greg’s appointment. Set piece is an area we need to continually build on and our squad will benefit from the extra focus given to this part of the game through the new role," added Gibbes.
"Greg has solid experience as a coach and a player. He is also a person who thoroughly understands the proud history behind Waikato Rugby and will help impart this knowledge to our next generation of rugby players."
Smith said: "I am rapt to be part of the Waikato coaching structure. I have always wanted to be involved with the Waikato squad. The role of Set Piece coach will allow me to focus on one area of coaching and I’m looking forward to the opportunity."
Over the next few weeks Smith will be putting his set piece coaching skills to practice in Japan with the Mitsubishi team.
As a hooker Smith played 70 games for Waikato, 47 games for the Chiefs and played international rugby for nine years with Fiji. His coaching roles included assistant coach of Fiji, coach of club championship side Fraser Tech, involvement in Waikato Development and age-group teams, and coach of Bay of Plenty.
