Former New Zealand international Richie Blackmore will coach age grade rugby league at Counties Manukau this season.
Manurewa's Rusty Matua will coach the premier team in the inaugural year of the national competition, which starts on August 29.
Blackmore has moved into coaching after a professional league career with Castleford, Leeds and the Warriors. Capped 26 times for New Zealand, this year Blackmore will take charge of the Counties Manukau 17s.
Neil Malu (Mangere East) has been named coach of the Counties Manukau 15s team.
