Former Hautapu Sports player Marty Bourke has returned to the Waikato to join the coaching staff of the Chiefs for the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
Bourke (43) moves north after being head coach of Canterbury’s Bunnings NPC squad, and he is an assistant coach for the New Zealand U-20s.
Bourke joins an experienced Chiefs coaching staff, led by Clayton McMilla. It includes All Blacks kicking specialist David Hill, Roger Randle, Nick White and Waikato head coach Ross Filipo.
Bourke told the NZ Herald: “Super Rugby is recognised as one of the pinnacles of rugby excellence, and to be given the chance to contribute to an already robust coaching group is an opportunity for which I am sincerely grateful.
“This season promises to be an exciting journey, and I will embrace the challenges it presents. I am eager to contribute to the team’s success and look forward to both learning from and adding value to the Chiefs family.”
An accomplished full back, Bourke began coaching as an assistant for the Bay of Plenty provincial side before seeking overseas experience, working as an attacking coach for Rugby United New York.
Returning to New Zealand, he joined Canterbury and after a season as an assistant coach, he was promoted to the head coach role and took the side to the final of the NPC Championship.
In 2023, he again led Canterbury to the NPC play-offs, losing to Taranaki in the semi-final.
Chiefs Rugby Club chief executive Simon Graafhuis said: “As we do with our players, we like to look after and develop the skilled individuals of our region
“In (his) short time in the environment, he is fitting in like he has always been part of the Chiefs. We looking forward to seeing the benefit of his skill set on the team this season.”
The Gallagher Chiefs have started pre-season training for the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
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