Crowley named to replace Cooper as Taranaki coach

He will take over from Hurricanes Super 12 coach Colin Cooper, whom Crowley has helped at Taranaki for four years.

Joining Crowley next year will be Neil Barnes, who has previous experience at Taranaki B level and was with the Hurricanes B side this year.

"I've been in Taranaki all my life and I've always wanted to do this job. I've enjoyed working with Colin and learned a lot," Crowley said.

He said Taranaki, who round off their NPC programme hosting North Harbour in New Plymouth today, had always boxed above their weight.

"I want to keep that standard and look for something extra if we can. There's plenty of talent around."



Crowley and Barnes have a wealth of experience - Crowley played 200 games for Taranaki and 35 games for the All Blacks, including 19 tests from 1983 to 1991, while Barnes guided New Plymouth Old Boys to a record six consecutive Taranaki division one club titles in the 1990s.

Tama Tuirirangi will return to the fray today, replacing Jason Hooper in the front row in the only change to the starting lineup from last week's loss to Canterbury.

It's been a long road back to top rugby for Tuirirangi. His playing career was threatened by a neck injury in July last year, but a single-level fusion operation to fix a slipped disc at the top of his back was successful.

The former Hurricanes and Chiefs Super 12 player returned to rugby at the start of the representative season, playing for the Taranaki second XV.

His last two games have been with Taranaki in the NPC, coming off the bench against Southland and Canterbury.

Teams:

Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, Shayne Austin, James Kerr, John Stewart, Mathew Harvey, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami, Chris Masoe, Neil Crowley, Brent Thompson, Reece Robinson, Paul Tito (capt), Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tama Tuirirangi. Res: Daniel Smith, Jason Hooper, Scott Breman, Richard Bryant, Bryce Robins or Mepi Faoagali, Chris Woods, Denning Tyrell.

North Harbour: sTusi Pisi/Hayden Reid, Scott Adams, Luke McAlister, Mark Mayerhofler, Anthony Tuitivake, Tim Walsh, Billy Fulton, Blair Urlich, Matua Parkinson, Craig Newby, Mark Giacheri, Troy Flavell Tevita Taumoepeau, Slade McFarland, Tony Woodcock. Res: Joe Ward, John Buchanan, Matt Lord, Andrew Jackson, Mark Robinson, Brad Miller, Rodd Penney.

Referee: Neville McAlister (Wellington). Kickoff: 2.45pm.

- NZPA