It will be followed by the Rugby Championship U20 tournament in South Africa in April, and the Junior World Championship in Georgia from June 27-July 18, ending less than a fortnight before the expected July 30 start of the 50th anniversary NPC.
New Zealand won six of the first 10 annual Junior World Cup tournaments, with regular Hawke’s Bay player representation, but hasn’t won the title since 2017, and did not reach the final again until last year.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby CEO Jay Campbell said: “The Magpies’ attack was outstanding last year, as Brock has continued to evolve our attack, and this appointment is great reward for that.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for Brock to coach at the international level but also to hone his attack coaching and to bring that back to the Magpies,” he said.
“I know he and our coaching team and players are desperate to go one better [than the 2023 beaten finalist outcome] in this year’s NPC.”
Campbell said Sam McNicol, whose 32 first-class matches at wing or centre in an injury-disrupted career included eight for the Magpies, but 20 in Super Rugby, will be the Magpies’ acting head coach in James’ absence, to the end of the pre-season preparation.
Sam McNicol in his days playing for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies. He takes over as acting head coach for the pre-season campaign this year as appointed head coach Brock James becomes an assistant coach with the New Zealand Under 20 side. Photo / NZME
McNicol is coaching with Hurricanes Development side the Hunters.
“At 30, Sam is already an experienced coach with a huge future in front of him,” Campbell said. “This provides him with another challenge on his coaching journey.”
Doug Laing is a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter, based in Napier, with more than 40 years’ experience covering news and sports events and issues in Hawke’s Bay.