Tanerau Latimer and Dan Cron have been named as the newest additions to the Steamers coaching group during a packed out sponsors breakfast this morning.

The three men will team up alongside former Waratahs head coach and All Black Daryl Gibson, All Black and local legend Mike Delany and Richard Watt.

"I'm excited about the calibre of coaching staff we have been able to assemble" says head coach Gibson. 

"The coaches are a significant piece in trying to forge the type of identity we've set for our team.

"We are embarking to be the best we can be and take another step in trying to make a Grand Final and win a Premiership."

Each coach brings to the table decades of top-level experience both as players and as coaches. Richard Watt and Dan Cron both spent nine years with the Hurricanes as assistant coaches, including their dominant 2016 campaign, which saw them win their maiden Super Rugby Championship.

Both men also spent time as assistant coaches with Manu Samoa and were integral pieces in the Tongan side during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

Meanwhile, Tanerau Latimer brings decades of playing experience, including 108 caps for the Chiefs and 19 All Black Caps. The Bay of Plenty immortal touched upon the unfamiliar waters of coaching a contending provincial side for the first time.

"You know what works for you as a player, so the challenge is how do you leverage what works for you when working with different personalities and characters who have different motivations and approach the game in unique ways.

"It evolves, you get in there and show your true colours, and you find your niche with each player. You find where you sit, and you just let it roll from there."

‘Toughness’ and ‘identity’ were the keywords of this morning's announcement as the coaches laid out their shared vision for the season.

"What is our identity? One of the things I've identified is that we have to be tougher, tougher to score against" said Gibson during his address to the sponsors.

"When you want to set an identity, it has to be lead from the front and to establish that culture, you need to bring in people that epitomise the standard you are setting. I believe we have done that."

The five coaches will lead a promising Steamers outfit who will look to chase their second premiership since 1976.

"It would be fantastic to deliver the province another championship. We have an opportunity with a pretty settled roster to go out and achieve that” Says Gibson.

"I want to take this moment to thank our amazing sponsors who do so much for us as we take that extra step and deliver the region what would be something quite special."

The Steamers begin their pre-season campaign with a match v North Harbour on Friday, the 30th of July. 

The 2021 Bunnings NPC Draw will be released in the coming weeks with Steamers home game tickets on sale June/July from www.boprugby.co.nz.

Article added: Friday 30 April 2021