Winning Meads Cup the goal for new coach

Nigel Walsh.
Nigel Walsh.
Nigel Walsh hopes to turn Lochore Cup success into Meads Cup glory when he takes over as coach of the North Otago rugby team next year.

Walsh will step up from assistant coach to replace Barry Stevens, who elected not to seek a third year in the top job.

"I’m really looking forward to it," Walsh told the Oamaru Mail.

"Last year was a learning curve for me. I had to get to know all the players, because they were all new to me. They’re a good bunch of players — keen, young, enthusiastic — and they showed a lot of potential."

North Otago set the standard in  Heartland  rugby for a long time but has not managed to make the Meads Cup since 2013.

Winning the Lochore Cup this year was a decent consolation prize, but Walsh knows he will judged by his ability to get the Old Golds back to the top table.

"The way we played in the last two games showed what this team was capable of.

"We let ourselves down at crucial times earlier in the season. But the Meads Cup is certainly on the agenda."

Walsh, the general manager of Temuka-based Mackenzie Supply Services, will step down as coach of Celtic after winning five consecutive South Canterbury premier titles. He plans to attend plenty of Citizens Shield rugby and also be available for club training sessions.

Stevens said electing not to pursue a third year in the role had been a difficult decision.

"It came down to just the travel factor, and the time away from home."

"I travel for work. I’m out of town Wednesday and Thursday, and you add Tuesday and Thursday rugby trips on top of that and it adds up."

He  would forever have fond memories of his two seasons with the Old Golds.

"They’re a great bunch of guys, a supportive union and a really good management team. I’ve totally enjoyed it, and I’m sorry to be leaving."

Stevens finished with a record of nine wins, nine losses and two draws in the Heartland Championship, and back-to-back appearances in the second-tier Lochore Cup final.

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