Highlanders appoint Clarke Dermody as new head coach

Highlanders have announced the appointment of Clarke Dermody as the new head coach of the Super Rugby club.

Dermody has already featured for Highlanders between 2004 and 2007 in 44 matches before heading to London Irish making over 100 appearances for them. He also featured in three games for the All Blacks that came in 2006.

He stepped up as scrum coach of Highlanders in 2014 and later became forwards coach then assistant coach under Tony Brown, as well as coaching Tasman in the NPC.

The 42-year-old also acted as the head coach of Highlanders during the Super Rugby Trans Tasman when Brown left for a stint in Japan and guided them to five straight wins.

“When I started with the Highlanders in 2014 it wasn’t with the purpose of someday being the Head Coach, I was just happy to get the opportunity to be involved with a club I have a genuine attachment with," he told the club's official website.

"Over the last ten years or so that attachment has only strengthened through the good times and bad.

“I believe in the club and the region it represents, I believe in the team and the players we have, and I believe that we can achieve success if we work hard and work smart.

“To get the opportunity to lead the team and coaching group is an honour and I am certainly looking forward to the hard work involved in putting together our 2023 season.”