Otago Rugby is pleased to announce that Tom Donnelly has been appointed as Otago Rugby’s Mitre 10 Cup Head Coach for the next three years. Donnelly has been part of the current coaching team since 2017 and will lead Otago into the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup campaign following the departure of Ben Herring at the end of the 2019 season.

Tom Donnelly said “I love Otago and am really excited about the journey I'm embarking on with Otago rugby. The opportunity to continue coaching and leading a team I am extremely passionate about excites me. Being able to stay in the region and bring up my young family here is a privilege. I am committed to the success of rugby in this region and I am really looking forward to being involved in and tackling the challenges that come along with this role head on in the coming seasons.”

In an extensive playing career Donnelly has a wealth of experience having played 82 games for Otago as well as 15 caps for the All Blacks, along with playing at Super Rugby level for three New Zealand teams and a stint with Montpellier in France. Donnelly was a member of the Otago team that lifted the Ranfurly Shield in 2013 for the first time in 56 years.

Donnelly also assisted the New Zealand Under 20 team in their build up to the World Championships earlier this year.

Richard Kinley, General Manager said “Tom has already added significantly to the team environment since joining as assistant coach in 2017. This is a fantastic opportunity for him and from an Otago Rugby perspective it is pleasing to see a locally based coach being appointed to the role.”

Article added: Thursday 19 September 2019