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Joe Maddock to quit New Zealand for Kiwi partnership overseas

Canterbury's Joe Maddock has lined up a switch to Japan (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup head coach Joe Maddock has announced the 2019 season will be his last in charge of the provincial side, having been appointed as an assistant coach at the Toshiba club in Japan.

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Maddock will join former Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, who has taken on the head coach role for the Japanese Top League side.

“I’ve been involved with Canterbury and Crusaders rugby for a long time, so the opportunity to challenge myself as a coach by stepping into a completely different environment in Japan, was a big part of my decision. At the same time, the chance to reconnect with Todd and join a big Japanese Top League side like Toshiba, is really exciting,” Maddock said.

“On a personal note, my wife Mariah and I have three daughters who are all at an age where they can really embrace the experience over in Japan, so we’re looking forward to taking on this new challenge as a family and the time is right for us to do that.

“For now, my focus is building towards the 2019 season with this Canterbury team and really enjoying the time I have left in New Zealand with an organisation I am extremely passionate about. Christchurch is home and I’d like to think this is not the end of my time here at Rugby Park, but an opportunity to continue to grow and evolve as a coach.”

https://www.facebook.com/canterburyrugbyunion/photos/a.10150116326256567/10155903772646567/?type=3

Canterbury Rugby CEO Tony Smail said: “Joe has been part of the Canterbury rugby family for most of his life, having played for the Hornby Juniors, West Melton and Prebbleton, and working his way up to provincial and Super Rugby.

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“We’re extremely proud of all he has contributed to the red and black jersey, and we’re fortunate to have his expertise in our coaching group. While he’ll certainly be missed come the end of the 2019 season, Joe, Mariah and family will depart with our sincere thanks and very best wishes for their next adventure in Japan,” Smail said.

Prior to starting as Canterbury assistant coach, Maddock worked as an assistant coach with the Canterbury under-19 and Crusader Knights teams, and was the head coach of the Prebbleton club side. He also coached the Barbarians in 2017 when they played the British and Irish Lions.

A former outside back who began his professional rugby career with Canterbury in 2001, Maddock debuted for the Crusaders and New Zealand Maori the following year, before departing to play for English club Bath in 2004. He also played for Saracens and Italian club Treviso Rugby.

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Maddock is in his second season as head coach of the Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup side, having guided the team to the 2018 Premiership final, and is the current assistant coach of the Maori All Blacks.

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TI 2 hours ago
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Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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