Walters new Hong Kong 15s boss
He comes armed with a degree in genetics, but Hong Kong's new coach, John Walters, will not be looking at cloning some super-rugby players. Rather, he will have the more mundane task of licking players in the national 15s set-up into shape.
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union yesterday appointed New Zealander Walters head coach of the 15s team on a two-year contract. He will be thrown right in the deep end, with Hong Kong down to play South Korea in the Asian Nations Series tie at the end of the month.
'John was picked after a long selection process. We decided to go with John for we feel he is someone who is technically at the cutting edge,' explained Ivan Torpey, HKRFU's head of performance.
Walters, 35, last coached the Waikato Development team where he worked alongside former Ireland and Wasps coach Warren Gatland. Walters played for six seasons, from 1991-96 on the wing for Waikato, and among his ex-teammates were Gatland and Hong Kong's sevens coach Rodney McIntosh.
'I think Hong Kong has got a lot of potential. I watched them play South Korea on DVD and they competed with a lot of heart. Their attitude was fantastic,' said Walters, who arrived on April 26. 'I have already had a couple of sessions with the squad and I'm looking forward to getting to know the guys better.'
The 15s squad had previously been coached by Paul Dingley, who looked after the forwards, with Torpey running the backs.
'The job has grown bigger in recent years. I think John will be perfect for the task,' said Torpey.
