In Historic Step, Kiwi Rugby Turns To Non-Kiwi Coach As Terrible 2016 Wraps Up

For the first time since at least World War Two, a non-Kiwi has been appointed to coach one of its top New Zealand national sides.

Scotsman Clark Laidlaw was today announced as the new coach of the New Zealand men's sevens team, taking over from celebrated long-time boss Sir Gordon 'Titch' Tietjens.

Laidlaw, the son of famed Scottish halfback Roy, is currently the backs coach of the London Irish 15-man side - and will have to break a three-year contract to head Way Down Under.

He will begin in his new role next June, with former New Zealand reps Scott Waldrom and Tomasi Cama running the till until then. Suffice to say, his appointment is new territory for New Zealand Rugby who have exclusively looked to Kiwi coaches to fill prominent roles in the past.

An Allblacks.com interview with Clark Laidlaw about his appointment as the new NZ men's sevens coach. Source: Youtube.

The New Zealand men's sevens had a horror year, failing to make the semi-finals of the first-ever Olympic sevens tournament in Rio. The Kiwis were one of the favorite in Brazil, but, after being upset by Japan in pool play, limped out of the competition.

The failure resulted in Sir Gordon stepping down from his role, which he had been in since 1994. The widely-admired 60-year-old is now the coach of the Samoan men's sevens team.

Despite his homeland and current job, Laidlaw has plenty of Kiwi rugby experience. Between 2009 and 2012, he was Taranaki's sevens coach, before joining the New Zealand national set-up in a skills and video analyst role from 2010 to 2012.

In NZRU PR release; no mention of new NZ7s coach, Scotsman Clark Laidlaw being born off shore.Making him a proud history-maker for NZ Rugby.
— Keith Quinn (@KeithQuinn88) November 16, 2016

The Scot was an assistant coach at Super Rugby side the Hurricanes between 2013 and 2015, and assisted with the Wellington sevens programme during that time.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) believe that Laidlaw is the man to lead New Zealand to gold in Tokyo in four years time.

"Our priority was getting the right coach with the long-term vision to win Olympic gold," Neil Sorenson, NZR's general manager of rugby, said, in a statement.

"So while we would have loved Clark to start straight away, we are happy to wait until next year because he is the best person for the job to build a winning sevens team over the long term."

IRELAND BREAK CUBS-LIKE DROUGHT; BEAT THE ALL BLACKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 111 YEARS

Outside the success of the All Blacks, who lost to Ireland for the first time ever in Chicago two weeks ago, New Zealand Rugby has endured a shocking year, publicity-wise.

The sport has faced continual criticism for a culture of entitlement after the Waikato Chiefs players' treatment of a stripper in a post-season celebrations, a young teenage star receiving a initially lenient 'slap on the hand' following his involvement in a vicious group assault - and a current All Black being caught having engaging in a sexual act in a airport toilet.