Welsh rugby legend Stephen Jones and former Blues assistant coach Tom Coventry have joined Moana Pasifika’s coaching staff ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Jones, known for his distinguished career as both a player and coach, brings a wealth of international experience to Moana Pasifika. As a player, he represented Wales in 104 Tests at fly-half or inside centre between 1998 and 2011, achieving numerous titles at club and international levels, including a Six Nations Championship and titles in various divisions. He also made notable contributions to the British and Irish Lions during their tours of New Zealand in 2005 and South Africa in 2009. In his coaching career, Jones served as backs and attack coach for Wales from 2019 to 2022, aiding in their Six Nations triumph and Triple Crown victory in 2021. Additionally, he contributed to the Scarlets’ success in qualifying for the Champions Cup and securing the PRO14 title in the 2016/2017 season. Jones expressed his honor and enthusiasm at being appointed as an assistant coach for Moana Pasifika, stating his excitement to contribute to the team’s growth and success in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Meanwhile, Coventry, highly regarded as one of New Zealand’s top forwards coaches, brings a wealth of coaching experience, having won three Super Rugby titles with the Blues and Chiefs. He has also held coaching positions with various teams, including North Harbour, Manu Samoa, New Zealand Schools, and New Zealand U20s, in addition to a four-year tenure as co-head coach of Hawke’s Bay in the National Provincial Championship.
Coventry, who made significant contributions as a player for Waikato in the NPC, expressed his eagerness to embark on this new coaching challenge with Moana Pasifika, emphasizing his commitment to the team’s success under the leadership of head coach Tana Umaga. Umaga praised Coventry’s passion for the game and his ability to develop players, highlighting his importance in nurturing Moana Pasifika’s young and talented forwards.
