Rugby: Coaches retained for the next two years

Danny Lee, left, and Craig Philpott have signed deals which will see them coaching the Magpies through until 2015. Photo / File

Unfinished business was a key factor in Hawke's Bay Magpies head coach Craig Philpott agreeing to a two-year extension of his contract.

"One of our goals this season was to win promotion back to the Premiership. We didn't quite make it so there's definitely unfinished business there," Philpott said after he and assistant Danny Lee signed their new contracts yesterday.

"I am very pleased to commit to an extended contract with Hawke's Bay Rugby. I've thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of coaching at ITM Cup level. I firmly believe that the Magpies can continue to have strong success over the next few seasons and I'm looking forward to being part of it," Philpott said.

Philpott and Lee selected 15 new players for this season's campaign which ended with the 26-25 loss to Tasman in last month's Championship final in Nelson. Philpott pointed out apart from captain Mike Coman (playing in Scotland), fellow loosie Karl Lowe (playing in Japan), winger Telusa Veainu and fullback Gillies Kaka, all of this season's squad are keen to be available again next year.

Ngati Kahungunu's 2013 Sportsperson of the Year, Kaka will be on a fulltime sevens contract for the next three years.

"Gillies was the Sevens World Cup MVP this year. He is a sevens specialist with an opportunity to win an Olympic Games gold medal and we wish him all the best with that," Philpott said.

Former All Blacks halfback Alby Mathewson and former London Irish prop Max Lahiff are also keen to return next year but Philpott said this duo's return will be subject to the approval of their respective Super Rugby franchises, the Force and Rebels. Should this happen it is likely only one more loosie will be on Philpott's shopping list.

"With Lowey [Lowe] and Moo [Coman] gone Tony Lamborn has an opportunity to put his best foot forward along with Trent Boswell-Wakefield who didn't get as much game time as he would have liked this year. Brendon O'Connor will be back so we will probably need just another loosie."

In their first season at the helm last year Philpott and Lee guided the Magpies to three wins and seven losses which saw them relegated from the Premiership. This year they recorded seven wins including a 20-19 victory in the September 1 Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago in Dunedin and five losses.

"My re-signing with Hawke's Bay Rugby shows that I have welcomed the opportunity to be involved in coaching at this level. I'm really looking forward to having an ongoing role with the Magpies. I believe we have a young side that has real potential for improvement in the years ahead," former All Blacks halfback Lee said.

"Craig and Danny have done a really good job in 2013, both in coaching the Magpies to win the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 44 years and later in their narrow defeat in the ITM Cup Championship final. A significant amount of the success the team has achieved this year is due to the planning and commitment Craig and Danny brought to the coaching of the Magpies. We're delighted that they have agreed to extend their involvement with Hawke's Bay Rugby. This announcement ... ensures that the Magpies will have continuity throughout the next two seasons as we look to be an ongoing force at ITM Cup level," Hawke's Bay Rugby Union CEO Mike Bishop said.