The Chiefs have announced that Clayton McMillan has signed a contract to remain as the Hamilton-based outfit’s head coach until 2026.
McMillan has impressed in his position since taking over the coaching reins from Warren Gatland in 2021.
Made a fine start as Chiefs head coach
Despite inheriting a young side, McMillan guided the team to a Super Rugby Aotearoa final during his first campaign, and they reached the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals in 2022.
The 53-year-old is delighted to extend his stay with the Chiefs.
“It was an easy decision to extend my current contract with the Chiefs Rugby Club and New Zealand Rugby,” said McMillan.
“We have an incredible staff, coaching and management team, and playing roster who are aspirational and care deeply about the people and region we represent.
“It is rewarding to work in this organisation. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to keep playing a part in it.”
Although he is excited about the Chiefs’ future, McMillan is fully focused on the present.
“We have a very young squad who have been through some adversity, learned some valuable lessons, and that is serving us well now and will do into the future. We are well advanced in our recruitment for the years ahead, and I am excited to be a part of that journey,” said McMillan.
“But for now – our focus is firmly on improving our game week to week and hopefully pulling it all together when it really matters at the back end of this season.”
Crucial for Chiefs’ success
Under McMillan’s guidance, the Chiefs have made a fantastic start to the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific campaign and are sitting pretty at the top of the table after winning all seven of their matches played so far.
The Chiefs’ chief executive, Simon Graafhuis, is happy that McMillan has signed a new deal.
“We are obviously extremely pleased with the early contract extension with Clayton. He is a fantastic coach and individual who we believe will have a significant impact on the Gallagher Chiefs squad, Chiefs Rugby Club and New Zealand Rugby into the future,” he said.
“Having world-class people in the Chiefs organisation is crucial for our future success. Clayton and his coaching team have a unique ability to create a connection and special culture within the playing group and management team.
“We are starting to see the benefit of consistency of coaching group and playing squad, so locking in Clayton and some of the key playing talent provides us with certainty into the future.”
Successful playing career
McMillan is a former police officer who also had a successful career as a player. He represented Bay of Plenty in over 100 matches before becoming the Steamers’ head coach and guided them to a Mitre 10 Cup title in 2019.
In 2017, he became the Māori All Blacks head coach, and he was also part of the All Blacks XV backroom staff as an assistant coach on their end-of-year tour to Europe.
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