Hong Kong Football Club coach Jack Wiggins to join San Diego Legion in the MLR, in opportunity he ‘couldn’t pass up’
- Wiggins heading to America as assistant coach ahead of new season which starts next month
- He will be responsible for Legion’s defence and work with former internationals Chris Robshaw and Ma’a Nonu
Having taken Hong Kong Football Club to yet another premiership title this season, coach Jack Wiggins is leaving for a new challenge in the US with Major League Rugby side San Diego Legion.
Wiggins has been made assistant coach at the franchise, and handed responsibility for the team’s defence as well as the club’s academy. With the season starting next month, he is expected to leave Hong Kong as soon as possible.
In San Diego, the former Wasps coach will be reunited with head coach Danny Lee, who he worked with in New Zealand at Hawke's Bay in 2014. The pair have kept in touch over the years, which led to the offer of an initial two-year contract.
Calling the decision “a difficult one to make”, Wiggins said the opportunity to work in a “fully professional environment” with the likes of former England captain Chris Robshaw and ex-All Black Ma’a Nonu was too good to pass up.
“I’m excited to work with players of that standard,” Wiggins said. “Coaching is all about working with the players and integrating what they bring and their understanding of the game with what we as coaches can offer, so for me it is really hugely exciting to continue my journey as a coach in that environment.”
Wiggins is joining one of the rugby world’s newest professional leagues in a country many consider to be a sleeping giant when it comes to the game, and a franchise that has fallen off the pace in the past two years, despite consistently finishing in the top three in early seasons.
“Legion had a lot of success in the early days but they have had quite a lot of change in the last year, which presents us with an opportunity to make an imprint on the club, which is really exciting,” Wiggins said.
“When he [Danny Lee] offered me a chance to join the coaching team, I couldn’t pass it up.”
Wiggins leaves Football Club in rude health, having had four stunningly successful seasons, including winning the treble in the 2019-20 season. He guided them to the Dettol Men’s Premiership title in December, and they are favourites to win the Grand Championships in March, Covid-19 restrictions permitting.
“I was hoping to see out the season in Hong Kong, but the suspension of the Premiership due to Covid and the uncertainty over when play might resume, along with the impending season start in the USA in February has advanced the calendar,” he said.
“Coaching is a funny old thing. I was not looking to leave, but when opportunities like this arise you have to grasp them.
“I owe a lot to HKFC and have enjoyed my time here immensely. Leaving now is difficult, but I think I am leaving the club in a very good place and I am happy for that.”
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Given the social-distancing restrictions in place, Wiggins had to tell the players via Zoom that he was leaving. Having also taken over coaching the city’s representative team after the departure of Simon Amor, he had to deliver the news to the wider player group in the same way.
In Wiggins’ absence, Cameron McIntosh, the director of rugby at Football Club, will assume head coaching responsibilities for the final month of the season, supported by assistant coaches Tom Isaacs, Jevon Groves, Adam Frampton and Jack Wilson.
McIntosh said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to have Wiggins as a member of the “HKFC family” for the past four seasons.
“His results on the field were built on a fantastic work ethic, attention to detail and unmatched technical and tactical knowledge,” McIntosh said. “He has brought professionalism and a winning mentality to the club. However, it is his ability to connect with people and make them better players, coaches and people that is without doubt his greatest attribute.
“As a rugby section, we thank Jack for the contributions he has made and the successes he has delivered during his time here, as well as for what his coaching legacy will continue to do for HKFC Rugby long after his departure.”
