Sam Webster has taken over coaching duties of the Wellington Redbacks senior rugby team when Greg Brien decided to step down.
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Brien, who is still vice-president of the Redbacks club, said he enjoyed his two years coaching with the assistance of Andrew Glover.
The team lead the Redbacks senior men's side to a premiership win in 2019 against the Geurie Goats.
Brien said as a whole committee, they decided Webster's personal rugby union credentials were too good for the Redbacks to let go this season.
"Hopefully he can bring that to the club, keep moving us forward and to the next step, while imparting some of his knowledge to the younger boys," he explained.
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The lasting legacy Brien and Glover will have on the Redbacks include the culture of mateship and fun.
"It's alright to be tough on the field, but it's also (about) being able to let that go (when the games over)," Brien said.
"I've never seen another sport that allows it. Rugby, to me, just does that."
The club is "gunning" to try and get a under 18s side up, which will follow the senior's and women's side, Brien said..
The Redbacks under 18s are still on the look out for a coach to take the reins, so anyone with an interest just need to get in touch with the club.
The Wellington Redbacks held a pre-training session in January for both men and women, with a lot of interest for the senior women's team, Brien said.
He hopes the women's senior side, which will be coached by Gary Stokes and Jarrod Wykes, can build on their incredible performance in 2019.
"The girls realised last year that it is a tough game, but geez we kicked some butt last year," Brien said.
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"No-one expected a lady's team that was just forming to perform the way that Wellington did. So I'm pretty sure there is some unfinished business.
"And I think some of these Wellington girls can really make a mark on the competition."
The Lion of Waterloo has come back on board as the Redback's major sponsor and all homes games will again be played at Bicentennial Park.
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
