Penney appointed new Munster coach

Rugby: Munster has announced the appointment of New Zealander Rob Penney as their Head Coach to succeed Tony McGahan, who leaves the province at the end of this season.

Penney’s appointment is subject to him securing a valid work permit for Ireland.

Penney has been Head Coach of Canterbury since 2006 and last season took them to their fourth straight ITM Cup national provincial title. He also has Super Rugby coaching experience with the Crusaders, where he was assistant coach in 2005 when they won the Super 12 title.

He has maintained his involvement with the Crusaders as Development Squad Coach.

A former Canterbury Academy Manager, Penney will coach the defending World Champion New Zealand Under 20 side during next month’s IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa.

He is expected to arrive in Munster in mid July for the start of a two year contract.

Penney’s playing experience, like that of Anthony Foley, is with the forwards as he played 101 games for Canterbury in the backrow between 1985 and 1994. The former Burnside number 8, who was an All Black trialist in 1991, captained the province in the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

While in Ireland waiting for his second interview Penney had also been linked with the Western Force following revelations there that head coach, Richard Graham will replace Ewen McKenzie at the Queensland Reds next year.

Michael Cheika, who coached Leinster to the Heineken Cup crown in 2009 and who is now in charge of French giant Stade Francais, was at short odds to win that role.

Outgoing Munster coach Tony McGahan, who will soon join Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, is also being touted as a possible replacement for Graham.

Foley, though, will continue on as Forwards Coach with Munster, while expected change in the rest of the management team will be finalised following consultation with Penny.

Commenting on the appointment Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said, "We conducted a thorough search to find a replacement for Tony McGahan and were delighted with the calibre of the candidates. Rob Penney's record speaks for itself and we look forward to welcoming him to Munster.”