Winning promotion to Premier division of the ITM Cup and guiding the Magpies to three consecutive semifinals wasn't enough for coach Peter Russell and he's been left in the dark about why he's been given the sack.
The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union confirmed they wouldn't be renewing Russell's contract as coach and plan to make an appointment as early as next week. Chief executive Mike Bishop said Russell had done a fine job but felt they needed fresh ideas.
Russell had been in charge for the past five seasons and led Hawke's Bay to semifinals in 2007, 2008 and 2009 before winning the ITM Cup's Championship final this year.
"The Hawke's Bay board want to move in a different direction but I'm not sure what direction they want to go in,'' Russell said. "I haven't been told that. At the moment I haven't got anything on the plate in terms of any other position to go to. I'm in limbo.
"I didn't see it coming. It was a bit of a blow. With the way the season worked out, winning that championship and promotion to the Premiership and after the very successful five years... I don't think it's counted against me but I'm not sure what direction they want to move in. Obviously I'm not required.
"I hold no animosity towards the union, just the way it's been handled. I have taken it on the chin and will move on. I have thoroughly enjoyed the five years, in terms of success and players going on to higher honours.''
Bishop said there was nothing behind the decision, other than wanting new ideas.
"After five years in the role, we felt it was time for a new voice to be talking to the team next year,'' Bishop said. "We felt after a pretty stringent interview process it was time for a change.
"Pete is a great guy and a very good coach. It's just time for us to make a change. We are close to appointing alternatives and are pretty excited about what will come next.''
Russell's assistant Tom Coventry will join Dave Rennie at the Chiefs next season, leaving the door open for a new coaching team. Bishop said they hoped that team would be a combination of one coach from within the province and one from outside.
Joe Schmidt, who is a former Blues assistant and Bay of Plenty coach and more recently been in charge of Heineken Cup champions Leinster, has reportedly been interested as well as local Phil Rumpler.
There are few vacancies in New Zealand rugby - both Auckland and Wellington are looking for head coaches - which might force Russell to look offshore if he misses out on one of those two jobs.
"I don't want to leave a country that's top of world rugby,'' he said. "There's a lot to do here in terms of development of players up from my level at ITM Cup, if that's the level I'm going to be at. Super Rugby is always an ambition and I had a taste of that with the Highlanders.
"At this stage there's nothing much out there. Overseas could be an option if I don't get any coaching position here. It's a career for me and I have chosen it for the last five years.''
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