Clayton McMillan has been appointed as interim Head Coach of the Chiefs for next year’s Super Rugby campaign, as announced today by the Chiefs Rugby Club and New Zealand Rugby.
McMillan has signed a one-year contract with New Zealand Rugby to coach the Chiefs while Head Coach Warren Gatland leads the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. McMillan will take up the role after he has completed his Mitre 10 Cup duties with the Bay of Plenty Steamers.
Current Maori All Blacks Head Coach and Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Director of Rugby, McMillan has been instrumental in the success of Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s High Performance programme during his tenure with an impressive record including last year’s Mitre 10 Cup Championship title.
His coaching ability was recognised in 2017 when has was appointed Head Coach of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side who faced the British and Irish Lions during their 2017 tour of New Zealand and was announced as Head Coach of the Maori All Blacks that same year.
Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Michael Collins commended McMillan on his appointment.
“We are excited for Clayton to lead the Chiefs in 2021. He is a talented coach and was a stand-out candidate. He boasts an excellent track record of developing players and delivering success. Not only during his tenure as the Director of Rugby for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, but during the Maori All Blacks and New Zealand Provincial Barbarians campaigns. The results he has achieved reflects his leadership ability.”
“Clayton is no stranger to the Chiefs team having already worked alongside Assistant Coaches Roger Randle and David Hill and a number of the Chiefs playing group,” said Collins.
New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum congratulated McMillan on his appointment.
“We congratulate Clayton on this appointment, it further confirms his status as a great coach within our ranks. It’s a unique opportunity and I am sure Clayton has the mana to work within the Chiefs environment and continue to build on what Gats and his crew are currently achieving.”
McMillan said he was grateful for the chance to lead the Chiefs.
“Super Rugby has certainly been a goal of mine and I am honoured to be appointed as the interim Head Coach for the Chiefs. There is a fantastic pool of gifted athletes to work with along with an experienced and talented management group.”
McMillan acknowledged the contribution Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has made to his development.
“I am extremely grateful to Mike Rogers CEO and Board for the opportunities I have had with Bay of Plenty Rugby Union to develop as a coach. Their support, alongside the hard work and dedication of our staff has been instrumental in us delivering a successful vision and outcomes for the Union’s High-Performance Programme and personally as a coach.”
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers puts McMillan’s selection down to his dedication and commitment to coaching.
“This is great recognition for Clayton. We are delighted for him and very proud. He has been an outstanding contributor for Bay of Plenty Rugby and the Maori All Blacks. It was only going to be a matter of time before he was going to be successful in gaining a position at the Chiefs or another Super Rugby franchise.”
Clayton McMillan
Following his playing career in Bay of Plenty and Japan, the Bay of Plenty centurion transitioned into coaching eighteen years ago while finishing playing professionally in Japan.
Upon his return to New Zealand he has held several age group and club roles in both Bay of Plenty and Wellington before taking the reins of his home province in 2015.
McMillan’s coaching success has included being appointed the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians Head Coach in 2017 to face the British and Irish Lions during their 2017 tour of New Zealand. Later that year he was announced as the incoming Maori All Blacks Head Coach. McMillan has since led tours to the Northern Hemisphere, America and Fiji.
Clayton McMillan
Playing Career:
Position: Loose forward
Province: Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty Caps: 113
Coaching Career:
Clayton McMillan coaching details:
2017 – Present: Head Coach, Maori All Blacks
2017: Head Coach, NZ Provincial Barbarians
2015 – Present: Present Head Coach & Director of Rugby, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union
2015 – 2020: Position Specific Coach, NZ U20’s
2014: Head Coach, Wellington Rugby Union U19’s
Head Coach, Wellington Rugby Union Academy
Skills & Resource Coach, Wellington Rugby High Performance Group
Winner, Wellington Rugby Representative Coach of the Year Award
Champions, Inaugural U19’s Jock Hobbs Memorial Cup
2013: Forward Coach, Wellington Rugby Union U20’s
Skills & Resource Coach, Wellington Rugby High Performance Group
Head Coach, NZ Police National Team
2012: Head Coach, Marist St Pats Premiers
Skills & Resource Coach, Wellington Rugby High Performance Group
Winner, Wellington Rugby Club Coach of the Year Award
Champions, Wellington Rugby Jubilee Cup
2011: Head Coach, Marist St Pats Premiers
2010: Head Coach, Bay of Plenty Development. Skills Coach, Bay of Plenty Steamers Wider Training Group
2009: Head Coach, Bay of Plenty U20’s. IRB Level 3 Advanced Coaching Course
2008-2010: Regional Selector, New Zealand U20’s. IRB Level 1 and 2 Coaching Course
2007-2009: Head Coach, Whakarewarewa Premiers, Rotorua
2003-2007: Professional Rugby Player/Coach, Coca Cola, Fukuoka Japan
