Super 12 : Waikato Chiefs' coach Cooper resigns
by Huw Turner
August 29, 2000

New Zealand's least successful Super 12 franchise will have a new coach for 2001 following today's resignation of Ross Cooper.

The Chiefs , based in Hamilton, have endured three ordinary seasons under Cooper's guidance and he has acknowledged this in stepping aside. The lack of interest generated by the Chiefs hit an all time low with the visit of the Waratahs in May, a meagre 2,500 being the estimated crowd. This is in stark contrast to the attraction of Waikato's home NPC games , which currently have the added bonus of being Ranfurly Shield challenges.

Early favourites to replace Cooper are likely to include John Boe and John Mitchell. Boe is a past coach of Waikato, they won the NPC under his guidance and he was leant to Manu Samoa for the duration of this year's Epson Cup. In winning the competition, Manu played an exciting brand of football and Boe impressed all who were associated with the squad. Mitchell is a former skipper of Waikato and has recently returned home to New Zealand after a stint coaching in England. His experience as the England forwards coach will have given him invaluable international experience which the Chiefs ought not to ignore.

Cooper will continue to be employed by the NZRFU as a resources coach.

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