League: Coach strives for the highest levels

Rotorua's Moehewa Armstrong is following his dream of coaching the Kiwis one day. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rugby league coach Moehewa Armstrong has always taught his players to aim for the top level.

And as a coach, he is following the same advice.

In 2014 he was the assistant coach for the New Zealand 18s team, assistant coach for the WaiCoa Bay Stallions and a New Zealand Warriors talent scout.

This year he hopes to continue moving up the ranks with the NZRL and New Zealand Warriors.

"It is one of those things you are always telling your athletes - that they need to strive for the top and work hard towards it. And at this level [as a coach] you have to show the same thing by leading by example."

He said his goal this year was to become the head coach for the New Zealand 18s side or assistant coach for the Junior Kiwis.

He said in the future he wanted to coach at the highest level possible - be it for the Kiwis or in the NRL.

Armstrong, 41, said he was really enjoying working with the New Zealand Rugby League, which had great pathways for coaches and trainers.

"I love it. There are a lot of pathways, not just for the athletes, but for the coaches and trainers. They have a great set-up."

Armstrong said he was also enjoying working with the Warriors as a talent scout in the area. During the past two years he had scouted a handful of talented players. "There has been probably half a dozen from our area. They have not made it to the NRL just yet but they are coming through the Warriors Under-20 programme."

Armstrong started coaching with the Pikiao premier side seven years ago, after retiring from playing.

"Obviously I played up until my body did not allow me to play anymore, but I always wanted to stay in the game.

"It gave me a lot as a player and I always felt the difference a coach can make on a player, through my own experiences," he said.

"I can remember coaches that really made an impact on me not only as a player, but also for who I am today off the field."

After coaching with Pikiao, he moved into roles with the WaiCoa Bay Stallions and New Zealand Under-16 team.

Armstrong is a farrier by trade and said he would love to coach fulltime one day.