Vern Cotter appointed head coach of Blues

Blues have announced the appointment of Vern Cotter as the new head coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Cotter will replace Leon MacDonald in the role after the latter is set to join the All Blacks backroom staff as an assistant coach. The club reached the finals in the 2022 edition and were eliminated in the semi-finals during the 2023 season of the Super Rugby Pacific.

Cotter has a stellar coaching career over a span of 24 years during which he was also the head coach of Scotland and Fiji. He also has worked with Bay of Plenty, Crusaders, Clermont, Montpellier and Barbarians.

“I’ve watched this team thrive in recent years and I’m excited by the challenge of taking them forward and building on a solid base,” said Cotter.

“It’s great to have Jason joining me at the Blues.

“Since our time in Scotland, we’ve remained firm friends and often pick up the phone to discuss current trends in the game – I know he’ll add real value to an already strong coaching team.”

Jason O’Halloran, who was Cotter's assistant coach during his tenure with Scotland between 2014 and 2017 will be joining the backroom staff of Blues.