Rugby: Philpott steps up to Baby Blacks head coach role

PROMOTION TIME: Magpies head coach Craig Philpott has scored the Baby Blacks head coach role. PHOTO/FILE

Newly-appointed New Zealand under-20s rugby team head coach Craig Philpott is adamant the role won't compromise his Magpies job.

"My focus is still very much on the Magpies and we are on track for an exceptional season next year," the Magpies head coach said after his national appointment was announced yesterday.

There are likely to be critics who will question whether Philpott deserves the two roles in the wake of the Magpies' relegation from the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership this year with a two-win, eight-loss record. However Philpott, who will have his sixth season in charge of the Magpies next year, is confident he will handle both.

Philpott was assistant coach of the Baby Blacks team which finished fifth at this year Under-20 World Cup in England and replaces new Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson as the boss of the 2017 team which will play in the Georgia-hosted World Cup from May 25 to June 18.

"I'm excited about this coaching opportunity. Identifying and assisting in the development of the next crop of New Zealand rugby talent is extremely rewarding," Philpott said.

In conjunction with the announcement of Philpott's appointment a 49-strong squad was announced yesterday for a New Zealand under-20 development camp in Palmerston North from December 1-7. The squad includes Magpies No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, who played at this year's Under-20 World Cup, Magpies utility back Tiaan Falcon and Hawke's Bay under-19 prop Pouri Rakete-Stones who played for the Baby Blacks in this year's Oceania tournament.

Philpott said all three Bay players deserved their selection. Further camps will be held in March and April before a squad is selected for the April-May Oceania tournament on the Gold Coast and after this trip the squad of 28 will be announced for the World Cup.

"Playing for New Zealand Under-20 can be the launch pad to a professional rugby career, and next month's development camp is an integral component of the player development system in this country."

For Falcon, 19, this was one of two significant selections in recent days. Along with his Clive clubmate and fellow Magpie, outside back Jonah Lowe, who played for this year's Baby Blacks, Falcon has been selected as injury cover players for the Hurricanes.

Lowe, 20, will link up with the Canes from December 1 and Falcon after the Palmy camp. Falcon's father and former Maori All Black and Magpies loosie Gordon Falcon played four games for the Canes in 2000 while Lowe's older brother and former Maori All Black and Magpies flanker Karl Lowe played 41 matches for the Canes from 2009-2013.

Both Falcon snr and Karl Lowe also played their club rugby for Clive.

'If Jonah and Tiaan impress the Hurricanes coaching staff they could end up staying on and playing for the Canes like our Magpies hooker Ricky Riccitelli did this year," Philpott said.

He pointed out the under-20 programme was a great breeding ground for new talent to put their hand up for higher honours. Ten players from this year's team have been selected for Super Rugby squads in 2017 and 23 of the players on the All Blacks Northern Tour have previously been part of the programme.

"The message to the boys is clear, if you work hard and show determination you have a real chance of turning rugby into a profession. The development camp introduces them to a high-performance environment and the higher level of expectation, fitness and discipline that goes along with that.

"These players will need to work hard on their individual development plans over the summer if they want to stay in contention for the next two development camps and selection for the World Cup," Philpott said.

Taranaki's Willie Rickards and Otago head coach Cory Brown will be Philpott's assistant coaches. Rickards, like Philpott, was involved with this year's Baby Blacks campaign.

"Both Willie and Cory come from excellent provincial rugby environments, and I am excited about what both will bring to our campaign," Philpott added.