Fans' outrage as Australian gets Otago job

Thursday 17 December 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
Air New Zealand Cup > New Zealand

There's rarely been any love lost between rugby fans in New Zealand and Australia, but now some Kiwi supporters have fresh cause for bitterness.

The Otago Rugby Union has made the controversial decision to appoint Phil Mooney - an Australian - as coach.

Chief executive Richard Reid acknowledged the fact that it's "unusual" for someone from across the Tasman to be put in such a high-profile position, but said it's in the best interests of the provincial side.

However, the move hasn't gone over well with fans at all, with many expressing their outrage to the Southland Times.

They were hoping New Zealander David Latta would get the job, rather than the man recently sacked by the Queensland Reds.

"I think that this demonstrates how out of touch with grassroots rugby the Otago Rugby Union is," said one supporter, named as Geo. "When are we having the funeral for Otago rugby?"