Former Waikato stalwart and centurion Andrew Strawbridge has been appointed as the new head coach of Waikato for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.

Strawbridge, 54, is currently one of the Chiefs assistant coaches after joining the team in 2012. He was brought in by head coach Dave Rennie, and was a part of the coaching team that lead the Chiefs to back to back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. 

After finishing his playing career with Waikato at the end of the 1995 season, Strawbridge went into Secondary School teaching for 20 years in various roles including assistant teacher, head of departments, assistant principal and deputy principal.

After his teaching career, Strawbridge then moved into his coaching career. His coaching roles saw him look after Hamilton Boys’ High School 1st XV, Hamilton Old Boys’ in the Waikato club rugby competition and numerous overseas coaching roles. 

At National Provincial level, he oversaw North Harbour for two seasons (2003-04) and Auckland for three seasons (2009-11). Strawbridge was also a part of the New Zealand Under 20’s campaign that saw them win 2 world titles.   

Andrew Strawbridge said “Having played for the province, it is a huge honour for me to have this opportunity to coach a team I have strong ties too. The key to the 2019 season is to maintain and to continue to build on the success that the team achieved in 2018.”

Waikato CEO Blair Foote said “The Waikato Rugby Union is very pleased to announce Andrew Strawbridge as the new Head Coach of the Mitre 10 Cup team for the 2019 season. Strawbridge is another former player turned coach that understands the pride and the passion in the province and the jersey; we are privileged to have a coach of his calibre joining our coaching staff.

He brings a wealth of experience and coaching knowledge to the position and we look forward to seeing him put his unique stamp on the squad in 2019 and beyond.”

Andrew Strawbridge was Waikato cap number 784 and is a centurion amassing a total of 131 games between 1983 and 1995 scoring a total of 646 points by the way of 53 tries, 83 conversions, 78 penalties and 5 drop goals.

Article added: Friday 09 November 2018