As Super Rugby rivals scramble to secure their coaching staffs past this season, the Chiefs have moved quickly to lock in head coach Clayton McMillan for another three years, through 2026.
The Māori All Blacks mentor has guided the Hamilton franchise to the top of Super Rugby Pacific this season, unbeaten through the first two months of their campaign, adding to his already impressive credentials.
"It was an easy decision to extend my current contract with the Chiefs rugby club and NZ Rugby. 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."
McMillan took the reins of the Chiefs in 2021, when Warren Gatland took the British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa, transforming a winless Super Rugby Aotearoa record to reach the final 12 months later.
They lost to eventual champion Crusaders in last year's semis, but avenged that result in their 2023 season-opener.
"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," said McMillan. "We are well advanced in our recruitment for the years ahead and I am excited to be a part of that journey," said McMillan.
"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 backend of this season."
His extension puts the Chiefs in a stronger position that their rivals, currently awaiting an announcement on Scott Robertson's All Blacks coaching staff beyond this year's World Cup.
Robertson's appointment leaves the Crusaders without their championship head coach - and probably assistant Scott Hansen - while the Blues and Hurricanes stand to lose Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland to the national team.
"Having world-class people in the Chiefs organisation is crucial for our future success," says chief executive Simon Graafhuis. "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."
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