RUGBY UNION
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The coaching staff responsible for the Maitland Blacks’ first back-to-back premiership success in 15 years has been installed to lead the club in the top grade next season.
Bobby Tynan has been given the first grade job after leading the seconds to successive minor-major titles, losing only one game along the way in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union competition.
This was the first lot of consecutive grand finals won by the Blacks since club championship years of 1998 and 1999, which also marked the last trophy won by Maitland in first grade.
Tynan, club captain of the year and a former player, will be joined by his popular offsiders Mick Rogers (assistant coach) and Scott Freeman (manager) after fours years together in second grade.
Tynan, will take over from 2013 mentor Mat Thomas, who didn’t apply for the role after his maiden season at the helm.
Thomas will instead become coaching director at Maitland in 2014 with a focus on junior development as well as steering the NSW Country colts once more.
“I decided not to apply for it [the first grade coaching position at Maitland],” Thomas said.
“It’s about doing what is right for the club and Bobby deserves to have a crack at it and it will be a good chance for him to step up.
“I will mostly concentrate on junior coaches and basic skills like catching, passing, tackling and rucking.
“Not that the standard is low at the moment, but we want Maitland to stay as a frontrunner in this area.”
Former first grade skipper Luke Cunningham has been appointed as captain-coach of seconds with president Danny Lewer as manager.
In other rugby union news, the Wallaroos draw has been released for next year’s women’s World Cup in France with Australia to meet Wales, South Africa and the hosts.
This was based on the Australian’s third placing at the 2010 World Cup and meant they avoided top two sides New Zealand and England.
Maitland duo Mollie Gray and Margaret Watson are part of the 34-person Wallaroos squad.