Magpies Coach Josh Syms time with the Magpies has ended as Hawke’s Bay Rugby today announced Syms has resigned having been appointed Forwards Coach of Italian Club Zebre. The two-year contract commences after his first season in charge at MLR Club Old Glory DC ends in July.

Syms has been with the Magpies since being appointed forwards coach in 2018 and was promoted to Head Coach after Mark Ozich departed for the Western Force in Super Rugby in 2021.

During his tenure the Magpies won the Ranfurly Shield and the Mitre 10 Cup Championship in 2020 and alongside Ozich transformed the Magpies into a competitive unit with a winning culture.

Syms said today ‘“The Hawkes Bay Rugby Union took a punt and Oz (Mark Ozich) and I and hope that we have returned that favour to them though the past 60 plus games.”

Syms added “There has been so many memorable moments over the past six years but I take the most satisfaction in the growth and promotion of so many local players going on to higher honours both in super rugby and internationally.”

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone in the Hawkes Bay, from the Union staff and club representatives to the public, since moving here in 2017 we have had unconditional support and my family and feel like true Hawkes Bay people now. We will certainly miss the Bay”

Jay Campbell, CEO, Hawke’s Bay Rugby, said “While we are disappointed that Josh has decided to move on, especially just out from the start of the NPC,  we do understand the international coaching market and that the offer was simply too compelling to turndown’ Campbell added  “just as we see with the frequency of player movements, our best coaching talent now are also moving on or being moved on more regularly which  from my perspective is just part of the continued development of professional rugby”.

Syms departs having made some ‘significant improvements and professionalism especially in the High-performance pathway which is now one of the best performed in the NPC. We wish him, Ash and the family all the very best for their future endeavours’ said Campbell

Brock James has now been confirmed as the new Magpies head coach a position he has held with Syms being in the US since November and will assisted by current scrum coach Francisco Deformes. James has had support in the preseason from Sam McNicol, Ellery Wilson, Bryn Evans and Jason Long.

Campbell added ‘While there is no doubt Josh will be a loss we are extremely happy with where we currently stand with regard our planning for the campaign and Brock has been outstanding in the 6 months to date. While our investment in our young promising coaching talent means we have a couple of readymade replacements in some areas’

A final decision on the full makeup of the Magpies coaching group for the upcoming NPC will be made over the coming month once ongoing discussions continue.

Article added: Monday 15 May 2023