20 May 2015

O'Halloran bored by Super Rugby

10:19 am on 20 May 2015

The outgoing Manawatu rugby coach Jason O'Halloran says he's leaving the New Zealand game for the Northern Hemisphere because it no longer excites him.

The outgoing Manawatu rugby coach Jason O'Halloran.

The outgoing Manawatu rugby coach Jason O'Halloran. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

O'Halloran, who guided Manawatu to provincial rugby's Championship title last year, will head north at the end of the year to assist Scotland's New Zealand coach Vern Cotter.

O'Halloran said he had a couple of Super Rugby options, but has decided that he needs something new.

"To be honest Super Rugby doesnt spin my wheels too much I can sort of know what the game's going to be almost before I turn the TV on."

"I know what sort of structures are going to be run by the attack, I know how teams are going to defend that, I know ultimately the game's going to be lost on a couple of errors or refereeing decisions."

"It doesn't really inspire me at the moment I'd like to take on a new challenge something that's a lot different and outside my comfort zone in terms of what the rugby's going to be like in the UK."

O'Halloran says he's sure he'll learn a lot of new things under a quality coach in Vern Cotter and the more kicking orientated style of game there will provide him with new challenges.

He said he'd like to bring a bit of the northern game back with him if he returns to New Zealand.

"I think it's time somebody went away and tried to bring in some sort of hybrid of the two hemispheres and maybe that might be a way of reinvigorating the competiton."

"If we had a style that was a little bit different it may well give you a competitive edge."

"If I'm to come back and do Super (Rugby) in the future then hopefully I can amalgamate a British style with a Kiwi one and gain a competitive edge."

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.