Steamers coach honoured to take on role

LION TAMER: Bay of Plenty's Clayton McMillan will coach New Zealand Provincial Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions on June 3. PHOTO: FILE

Bay of Plenty's Clayton McMillan will coach the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians team to take on the British and Irish Lions in the tour opener in Whangarei on June 3.

McMillan spearheads the coaching team and will be assisted by Roger Randle (Waikato) and Joe Maddock (Canterbury) for the game that is 99 days away.

The Barbarians side will be selected from a pool of Provincial Union players across the country and assemble for one week leading into the fixture on June 3.

McMillan said the opportunity to add to the Barbarians legacy has his management team excited.

"The history and culture of the New Zealand Barbarians is rich so it will be an honour for this group to be a part of that," he said.

"Opening the DHL NZ Lions Series against the best players from the Northern Hemisphere will no doubt be the biggest match of many of our players' lives - it will be a great occasion for them and the people of Whangarei."

Along with Randle and Maddock, McMillan will spend the next six weeks tracking players in the lead-up to a squad naming in April.

"We're aiming to play an entertaining brand of rugby which fits with the BaaBaas tradition of innovation and flair. For that we'll need a mix of new, young stars and more experienced provincial campaigners," McMillan said.

"It is a great opportunity for the match in Whangarei to set the scene for what promises to be an enthralling series with the British and Irish Lions.

President of New Zealand Barbarian Rugby Club, Ron Williams, says it was fitting that the Barbarians would open the series.

"The New Zealand Barbarian Rugby Club has a proud tradition dating back to 1937, representing every region over the years," he said.

"We're excited by Clayton, who has an excellent track record, coming on board to lead the Provincial Barbarians and looking forward to seeing the club's traditions passed on to the players who take on the Lions. We can't wait for June 3."